Survey shows diminishing role for religious institutions in Morocco

08/12/2006

A survey of religious practices among Moroccans will be published in February 2007. Magharebia has obtained an exclusive preview of the results, which show a decreasing role for religious institutions and growing influence of the media in forming religious knowledge.

By Imrane Binoual for Magharebia in Casablanca – 08/12/06

[Getty Images] More Moroccans prefer to pray alone than in groups.

A soon to be released survey of religious practices in Morocco will show that the majority of Moroccans prefer to pray alone, and use audiovisual media and the internet for information on their religion, Magharebia has learned.

The role of traditional religious learning institutions in forming religious knowledge is diminishing, according to the study.

The survey results, which will be made public in February 2007, come from three months of survey work sponsored by Prologues magazine and the King Abdelaziz Foundation for Islamic studies and human sciences. The poll comprised 135 questions put to a sample of 1,250 people from different age groups and backgrounds. The questions covered all forms of religious practice across Moroccan society, including men, women, youth, elderly, urban and rural residents.

The results show how Moroccans' religious practices have evolved. About 65% of those interviewed pray on a regular basis and a significant portion of Moroccans practise their religion in an individual manner, rather than collectively. As for sources of religious knowledge, the survey has demonstrated the ever-growing role of satellite channels, audiovisual media in general, cassettes and the Internet. These channels have become essential sources, taking the place of traditional written sources, to the level of 85%.

The survey also picks up on the shrinking role of institutions providing religious teaching in the acquisition of religious knowledge. These institutions, such as the family, the mosque, the school, the brotherhood etc., do not play the role they used to play in giving Moroccan people a grounding in religion.

As for the status of women, the survey highlights the ever-growing role of women in the field of religion.

"This religious sociology work has been carried out according to standard practice," said Mohamed Sghir Janjar, Prologues director and assistant director of the King Abdelaziz Foundation for Islamic studies and humanities. According to Janjar, "The aims of the survey, like the objectives of Prologues are purely scientific and look for better knowledge of Moroccan society. We hope that this work will serve to develop religious sociology and social sciences in general in our country."

The survey was carried out by three Moroccan researchers -- sociologist Mohamed El Eyadi, political analyst Mohamed Tozy and anthropologist Hassan Rachik -- who were assisted by a team of field workers.

The survey work started three months ago and the data collected is being sorted. The results run to more than 5,000 pages of statistics. "We shall publish part of the results of this survey in a book, in Arabic and in French," Janjar told Magharebia. "This publication shall be accompanied by an introduction to the subject of sociology and religion in Morocco, and an analysis of young people and spiritual activities. Another analysis will look at women and religion, while a final chapter will be devoted to religious values, practices and behaviour," he added.