Moroccan Feminist Sentenced to 30 Months for ‘Blasphemous’ T-Shirt

A Moroccan feminist activist, Ibtissame Lachgar, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for wearing a T-shirt that displayed the phrase “Allah is a lesbian.” The ruling, made by the Rabat Court of First Instance, has ignited significant controversy in the predominantly conservative North African nation. Alongside the prison term, Lachgar has been fined approximately £4,027 for “causing harm to Islam.”

Lachgar, a developmental psychologist and a prominent advocate for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, was arrested following her social media post on July 31, 2023. The Public Prosecutor’s Office swiftly initiated an investigation into her actions after she shared a photo of herself wearing the controversial T-shirt, which was accompanied by a caption critical of Islam. In an official statement, the prosecutor’s office noted, “Following a woman’s posting of a photo on her social media account, which depicts her wearing a shirt with phrases offensive to the divine… the public prosecutor ordered an investigation.”

Despite her appeal for release on medical grounds—she is a cancer survivor—Lachgar remains incarcerated as her defense team argues that her actions fall under the right to free expression. The court previously denied her request for release, highlighting the legal challenges faced by activists in Morocco.

Activism and Legal Challenges

Lachgar is a co-founder of the Mouvement alternatif pour les libertés individuelles (MALI), an organization that champions secular values and individual freedoms, including abortion rights and same-sex marriage. Her activism has a history of provoking state response; in 2013, she co-organized a public “kiss-in” to protest against the arrest of teenagers for sharing intimate photos online. In 2012, she invited the Dutch pro-choice group Women on Waves to Morocco to protest restrictive abortion laws, although authorities blocked their efforts.

The T-shirt incident is one of the most severe repercussions Lachgar has faced. In her post, she expressed frustration with religious ideologies, stating, “Yes, Islam, like any religious ideology, is FASCIST. PHALLOCRATIC AND MISOGYNISTIC.” Following her post, she reported receiving a barrage of threats, including calls for violence against her.

Moroccan law imposes strict penalties for expressions deemed critical of Islam, the monarchy, or the country’s territorial integrity. Offenders can face imprisonment and fines, with the potential penalty for “causing harm” to Islam being up to two years in prison and fines up to £40,000. There is a historical precedent for such prosecutions; in 2007, journalist Driss Ksikes and editor Sanaa al-Aji received suspended sentences and fines for publishing a controversial article about religious jokes.

Broader Implications for Free Expression

While many Moroccans have expressed outrage over Lachgar’s post, a segment of the population has rallied in support of her stance. The case has sparked a heated discussion about the limits of free expression in a country where religion is deeply intertwined with public life and legal frameworks.

Human rights advocates emphasize that this situation underscores the discrepancy between Morocco’s perceived image as a more liberal society compared to the stringent measures against dissent. International attention is expected to increase, with various human rights organizations likely to call for her release, framing her actions as legitimate political protest rather than criminal behavior.

As Ibtissame Lachgar continues her legal battle from behind bars, her case has once again thrust Morocco into the spotlight, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding religion, free expression, and women’s rights in the region.