Ibtissam Lachgar to appear before public prosecutor for blasphemy

RABAT – Moroccan activist Ibtissam Lachgar is expected to appear Tuesday before the public prosecutor at the Rabat Court of First Instance for charges related to remarks deemed offensive to the deity.

The activist, known for her controversial statements, was placed in police custody over accusations of blasphemy until she appears before the relevant prosecutor's office.

Lachgar appeared in a post wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Allah is a lesbian,” sparking widespread outrage among Moroccan citizens, leading to a flurry of angry comments on social media.

The Moroccan Penal Code provides for penalties ranging from six months to two years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 200,000 dirhams for "offending Islam." The penalty can be increased to five years if the offense is committed publicly or electronically.

Scores of Moroccans took to social media to denounce Lachgar’s photo.

“This woman’s place is behind bars. Our country must not fear NGOs, international organizations, etc. Understand that she is a threat to peace, to Moroccans, to sovereignty,” wrote Balti on X.

“If such a thing goes unpunished, others will seek to do the same. She must serve as an example. Every Moroccan has the duty to denounce this; otherwise, you are complicit and cowardly,” he said.

Lachgar posted the photograph late last month, with a caption saying: “You tire us with your sanctimoniousness, your accusations. Yes, Islam, like any religious ideology, is FASCIST. PHALLOCRATIC AND MISOGYNISTIC.”