Folk Islam

Entering a taxi, you notice the hand of Fatima symbol displayed as a protection against the evil eye.

Concerned neighbors warn a young mother: "When you go outside, wrap your baby so no one can see her face. You don't want people putting the evil eye on her! Something bad could happen or she might get sick and die!"

Before eating a meal people say "bismillah" (in the name of God). The religiously correct meaning of this is "we eat this meal in the name of God." The more accurate hidden meaning is "just in case there's poison in this food, I'm trusting the name of Allah to cleanse it."

Tombs of Muslim saints dotting the countryside are pilgrimage and festival sites for the needy. People believe such saints have a certain "baraka" (spiritual power) and visit their graves to ask for a miracle or favor. The unmarried seek spouses, barren wives seek pregnancy, and the unemployed seek work.

Beneath the veneer of Islamic orthodoxy in Morocco lies animistic superstition that manifests in these and other practices that are referred to as "Folk Islam". Amulets, charms, the evil eye, divination, witchcraft and sorcery abound. Moroccan Muslims are often more cognizant of the spirit world than are western Christians and most believe in these folk practices. Since they don’t have the Holy Spirit who is greater than the prince of this world, they must take what they consider necessary precautions to protect them from spiritual evil.

"You will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel 13:23

"Do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:2

• Pray God will free Moroccan Christians from the fear and superstition that plagues their countrymen and will protect them spiritually.
• Pray that God will manifest His power over evil by bringing real healings wrought in and through Moroccan believers living today.
• Pray to break the power of Satan and his dominion over Morocco.