DIVERSE Seminar: Lena Richter (January 18th, 5 pm)

January 18th, 5 pm

Save the date! On January 18, 2023 Lena Richter will talk about Moroccan nonbelievers as part of the DIVERSE Seminar (IMF-CSIC) – send an email to itzea.goikolea@imf.csic.es to receive the link and other information

According to ‘Arab Barometer’ (2019), nonreligion is rising across the Arab region. This is also the case for Morocco, where nonreligious views became more widespread, especially among the urban and tech-savvy youth. Facebook groups, Twitter pages, and YouTube channels have become vibrant platforms to express critique about the restrictive legal-social situation that many nonbelievers face. However, as participating in nonreligious activism can have far-reaching consequences, this discontent is barely brought to the streets. Instead, most nonbelievers find more subtle ways to express their thoughts by framing their ideas in a humorous way, seeking dialogue, and by adapting their arguments to their religious surroundings. Moreover, they embody being nonreligious as part of their lifestyle, expressed in food, dating, and clothing choices. By doing so, they indirectly normalise the taboo topic of leaving Islam and challenge religious expectations.

DIVERSE seminar…>>