The Religious History of Moroccans before the Arrival of Islam
Throughout its complex and rich history, Morocco has seen a myriad of religious changes, with Christianity being a prominent pre-Islamic religion.
Christianity in Morocco
The North African region, including what is now Morocco, was largely under Roman influence by the end of classical antiquity. Christianity was the predominant religion during this time, with substantial parts of modern Morocco being part of the Roman Empire and the remainder being client kingdoms. As the Roman Empire declined, Christianity persisted in Morocco and did not show a significant conversion to Islam before the latter entered the region.
Christianity was prevalent among the Berber people of Morocco, who were in frequent contact with Mediterranean peoples. These Berbers adopted and were influenced by a variety of beliefs, including Greek, Phoenician, Roman, Egyptian, and Iberian influences. However, it is important to note that the Berber land, which includes Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and even parts of Libya, was historically connected to Greece, further enriching the religious diversity.
Berber Religious Practices
The Berbers, like the ancient Persians, had a religion that centered on the worship of natural forces such as the sun, moon, sea, mountains, and caves. Unlike other ancient religions, they did not commonly worship statues or build special temples for this purpose. They also abstained from eating pork and consuming the blood of sacrificed animals, practices that can be traced back to Egyptian religion, which may itself have Berber origins.
As the Roman Empire expanded, it included many Berber individuals in its political hierarchy. Notable personalities such as Juba II, a Berber king of Mauretania who died around AD 23, are examples of this integration. Gauls and Eastern peoples under Roman influence also rose to positions of power, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the empire.
Early Christian Influences in North Africa
The Berbers were informed of the coming of Jesus, the son of Mary (peace be upon him), and some among them embraced the new faith born in Palestine. As a result, Christianity expanded in these regions during Roman times through the propagation by Roman-influenced inhabitants. Later, Islam would enter North Africa and eventually become the dominant religion in the region.
Today, Morocco is predominantly Muslim, however, it still retains a small but significant Jewish and Christian population, a testament to its rich and diverse religious history.