Court confirms sentence for Moroccan feminist over blasphemy

On 6th October, a Moroccan court confirmed the 30-month sentence for feminist Ibtissame Lachgar due to blasphemy charges, according to The New Arab via AFP on October 7th.

Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar was first detained in August in Rabat after posting a picture online of herself donning a t-shirt that said “Allah is lesbian”. At the time, the post drew severe backlash online, including threats to her life, sexist abuse, and calls for stoning to death.

Lachgar was given a 30-month sentence on September 3rd, along with a fine of 50,000 dirhams ($5,500) for “offending Islam”. Lachgar has repeatedly argued that the writing on the t-shirt was a feminist slogan and had no connection to Islam.

Under Moroccan law, insulting Islam is a criminal offence punishable by up to two years in prison. The sentence can be increased by up to five years if the offence is committed in public, a category that also includes acts carried out “by electronic means.”

Lachgar’s legal team plans to appeal to modify the sentence, possibly to house arrest or public service, which are also penalties set out in Moroccan law. 

The prosecution maintained that Ibtissame Lachgar’s actions disrupt public order and asked the court to uphold her conviction with an increased sentence.

The Moroccan activist is known for her shock-value activism that challenges conservative constructs, having worn a similar t-shirt on French TV in 2021. In response to her charges, she had posted online, “In Morocco, I walk around with t-shirts with messages against religions, Islam, etc. … Yes, Islam, like any religious ideology, is FASCIST, PHALLOCRATIC AND MISOGYNISTIC.” 

Ibtissame Lachgar’s controversial act and arrest have garnered international attention around Morocco’s free speech. It was reported in September that the activist, Saida Alami, was sentenced to three years over comments criticising police misconduct. 

Earlier in 2025, the Human Rights Watch Middle East and North Africa director, Balkees Jarrah, pointed out the kingdom’s increased restrictions on free speech, calling for France’s intervention.

The New Arab via AFP, Maghrebi.org