Fear

Only a few days old, he was an unsettled baby, crying frequently because of a headache due to a difficult delivery. Though a midwife provided care daily, the women of the family were concerned that he had stomach pain.

Old habits die hard. One day we found an old "grandmother" making tiny cuts with a razorblade all over the baby’s abdomen to "let out the pain and badness". We have seen babies with cuts on faces, burns on stomachs, amulets around necks or wrists, herbs and spices used in all kinds of ways.

In Morocco one often hears "bismillah" (in the name of God) uttered in order to protect oneself from the
"jinn" (spirits) when pouring hot water, entering a dark stairway, or undertaking some other potentially dangerous action. One must recite a certain special blessing when complimenting a child in order to be culturally appropriate. In fact, for fear of the "evil eye", even their parents rarely compliment Moroccan children.

These are not Islamic practices but remain from pre-Islamic days. Moroccans find it hard to let them go.

Out of tradition ? Ignorance ? Fear ? Probably all of these factors, but fear is often the tie with the strongest bonds.

"He has sent me...to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

Pray that what Moroccans fear might drive them into the arms of the One who can free them from their fears.
Pray that freedom from fear seen in Moroccan believers may prove a powerful witness to all those who know them.
Pray that the perfect love that casts out all fear may become manifest in the lives of millions of Moroccans.

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مواقع عربية