It began with a single image—a seemingly simple photograph—but within hours, it ignited a firestorm that has sent shockwaves through Morocco’s ongoing debates over religion, women’s rights, and freedom of expression.
The subject of the storm is Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar, a prominent feminist activist, whose choice of clothing sparked questions about the boundaries of free speech and the role of religion in public life.
Lachgar, 50, was arrested after posting a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Allah is a lesbian”, a provocative statement that has stirred intense controversy both in Morocco and abroad. The arrest took place on Sunday, August 10, and under Morocco’s blasphemy laws, she faces a potential sentence of up to two years in prison.
Accompanying the image, Lachgar wrote on social media: “In Morocco, I walk around wearing T-shirts that challenge religions, especially Islam. You exhaust us with your hypocrisy and accusations. Yes, Islam, like all religious ideologies, is fascist, phallocratic, and misogynistic.”
Authorities in Rabat confirmed that her post included “phrases offensive to the divine” and captions “insulting Islam.” The Public Prosecutor’s Office said she was taken into custody “due to the urgency of the matter” while investigations continue.
Former Justice Minister Mustapha Ramid publicly condemned her actions, advocating “zero tolerance” for insults toward religion and citing Article 267.5 of Morocco’s Penal Code, which criminalizes speech against the nation’s “unifying constants” with penalties ranging from six months to two years imprisonment, plus fines.
A co-founder of the Mouvement alternatif pour les libertés individuelles (MAL), Lachgar has long been at the forefront of campaigns for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and protection against gender-based violence.
Following her arrest, she disclosed receiving “thousands of s*xist insults, rape and death threats, calls for murder, and stoning” after sharing the image.
Her detention has drawn strong international criticism. Lisa-Marie Taylor, CEO of the feminist charity FiLiA, condemned the arrest: “We proudly support women who dare to speak truth to power—even when that means criticizing religion. Silencing women for so-called blasphemy violates human rights and denies women the freedom to live without fear.”
Megan Manson, of the National Secular Society, added: “Blasphemy laws have no place in the modern world. Freedom of expression includes the right to critique religion—even if it offends some people. We demand Lachgar’s immediate release and call for the repeal of these oppressive laws in Morocco.”
Moroccan authorities have so far confirmed the charges but offered no further statement. If convicted, Lachgar could become one of the most prominent figures imprisoned under the country’s strict blasphemy laws, highlighting the growing tension between religious protections and advocates of free expression.
🔹 Conclusion
Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar’s arrest has evolved into a symbol of the struggle between Morocco’s traditional religious norms and the global push for freedom of speech. To her supporters, she embodies fearless resistance to censorship and patriarchy; to her critics, she represents a profound insult to faith.
As her trial approaches, the world watches, recognizing that the outcome could have far-reaching consequences—not just for Lachgar, but for the future of free expression and women’s rights across the region.