A call by a Moroccan group to allow people to eat and drink in public during the month of Ramadan has infuriated Muslim scholars and stirred the government into action.
The group of Moroccan youth, which belongs to a movement called The Alternative Movement for the Defense of Individual Rights, called for the abolishment of a law that criminalizes public eating and drinking in Ramadan before the sun set prayer.
According to Moroccan law, Muslim citizens who break their fast during the day in Ramadan without a religiously accepted excuse face up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of 120 dirhams ($15.5).
Members of the group organized a rally in a public park in the coastal city of Muhammadiya, located between Casablanca and the capital Rabat. The protestors broke their fast with a little meal, which they said symbolized their defiance of a law that tramples on their freedom.
The demonstration, however, did not last long as the protestors, led by a female journalist, were surrounded by police and arrested.
Seeds of discord
The incident caused outrage in the community and the Muhammadiya Scholars’ Council issued a statement condemning the group and calling its activities in direct defiance of the rules of God and Prophet Muhammad.
"They are sowing the seeds of sedition by trying to annul one of the pillars of Islam," the statement said. "They are ruining society under the pretext of protecting personal freedom."
The statement warned that such protests threaten the fabric of Morocco’s conservative society that abides by the teachings of its Islamic faith.
"We are not unaware of such conspiracies carried out by havoc wreakers," the statement said.
Religious beliefs
For human rights activist, Wahid al-Damshaqi, the protestors are focusing on a personal freedom that is not a priority for Moroccans.
"The right to eat and drink in public during Ramadan is not a basic demand for the majority of Moroccans," he told Al Arabiya.
Damshaqi warned that the consequences of such initiatives might turn out to be graver than anyone could expect.
Damshaqi added warned that the "breaking the fast campaign" could have an adverse affect and anger the majority of Moroccans who are conservative and will not allow anyone to tamper with their religious beliefs.
"A struggle will ensue and other parties might take advantage of that."
For example, extremist groups might declare holy war on the organizers of this campaign.
"I don’t think they will be able to face this," he concluded.
(Translated from the Arabic by Sonia Farid)