UNHRC: Morocco ‘Keen’ to build bridges between religions

Morocco, a country of openness, is “keen” to build bridges between cultures and religions, as enshrined in the Kingdom’s multicultural identity, and reflected in the fundamental provisions of the Constitution, Morocco’s Permanent Mission in Geneva stressed on Friday.

This came during a panel on “countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence,” held as part of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), chaired by Morocco.

The mission said that Pope Francis’ visit to Morocco in 2019 intimately embodies Morocco’s approach to inter-religious dialogue, and recalled the launch of the “Al Quds Appeal” by King Mohammed VI and Pope Francis, which calls for safeguarding and promoting the multi-religious character, spiritual dimension, and special identity of the Holy City, as a symbol of coexistence and common civilizational heritage.

“Islam, in its truest acceptation, is a religion of openness, moderation, tolerance, and dialogue between cultures and civilizations, and cannot be the receptacle of an outpouring of hatred,” the mission said.

Morocco welcomed the holding of the debate on the fight against religious hatred, insofar as it enables to “take the pulse of a context marked by the multiplication of hate speech and acts of violence based on religious motives.”

The mission highlighted the Morocco-proposed resolution on “the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief” that was unanimously adopted in July 2023. This text provides for respect for religions and beliefs as an inalienable international right.

In this context, the Kingdom reiterated its “deep belief that freedom of religion and freedom of expression are indissociable, even consubstantial,” and noted that the Rabat Plan constitutes an important tool in the fight against hate speech.