The US State Department's report on religious freedoms in Morocco is not based on precise scientific data and does not match reality, said, Thursday in Rabat, minister delegate for relations with the parliament and civil society, government spokesperson Mustapha El Khalfi. Replying to a question about claims in the US State Department's report that religious freedoms are being restricted in the country, the minister pointed out that the report «is not based on accurate scientific data, and therefore it has value judgments and is exaggerated». Morocco is a country of religious freedom, said El Khalfi in a press briefing following the weekly cabinet meeting, adding that this report «does not match reality». He also noted that the ministerial committee in charge of examining international reports or those published by bodies or governments on the state of human rights in Morocco will be considering the said report with the purpose of preparing an answer thereto. For the record, Christian, Bahai, and Shia Muslim citizens are facing societal, familial and cultural pressure in Morocco because of their faith, concluded the US Department of State International Religious Freedom report for 2017, released Tuesday. Investigating the status of religious freedom in 200 countries and giving an overview of the abuses committed by the government, terrorist groups or individuals in this regard, the survey believes that religious minorities in Morocco are facing a series of restrictions when trying to practice their faith.
