Islam in Moroccan Daily Life

Morocco is a Sunni-Maliki country, and Islam permeates daily life in a way that may be unfamiliar to European visitors at first — but rarely intrusive. The call to prayer (Adhan) sounds five times a day from the minarets and is part of the soundscape of every city: the first at 5:00 am (Fajr), the last after sunset (Isha). For travelers in medina riads, the early morning call to prayer becomes an acoustic alarm clock — earplugs are a must in your luggage.

Mosques are closed to non-Muslims — the only exception is the monumental Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which offers guided tours. Koranic schools (Medersas), on the other hand, are often accessible as museums and showcase the country's most magnificent Islamic architecture. Moroccan religious practice is characterized by Sufism and the veneration of saints — throughout the country, there are Zaouias (shrines) of local saints, revered as places of blessing (Baraka).

The Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, fundamentally changes the country. From sunrise to sunset, no eating, drinking, or smoking is allowed — and this socially applies to non-Muslims as well (public eating during the day is taboo and can lead to police issues). The days are quiet and slow, many shops open late. In contrast, life explodes after Iftar (breaking the fast at sunset): the streets fill up, families gather for communal meals, and the nights turn into festive nights with music, shopping, and socializing until the early morning hours.

Alcohol is legal in Morocco but socially ambivalent. In tourist restaurants, hotels, and bars, beer (Flag, Casablanca) and wine (excellent red wines from the Meknès region!) are served. In the medinas and the countryside, however, alcohol is hardly visible. Moroccans drink — if at all — discreetly. Public drunkenness is punishable and strongly condemned socially. During Ramadan, the sale of alcohol is severely restricted.