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A delegation of evangelical leaders recently visited the Kingdom of Morocco. "The Moroccan overture is a great beginning," says Richard Cizik, the National Association of Evangelicals' vice-president for government affairs, "and a sign of good faith from leaders of a country whose inhabitants are almost entirely Muslim. It's a bold step by both faith communities to showcase cooperation and mutual respect in a conflict-weary world." Associate news editor Stan Guthrie interviewed Cizik. More information on developments will soon be available at www.nae.net.

How did the Morocco initiative begin?

In May of 2003, the NAE co-sponsored with the IRD [Institute on Religion and Democracy] a consultation on Islam meant to encourage both dialogue with Muslims on democracy, human rights, and religious freedom, but also to explore opportunities here and abroad for acts of compassion in Christ's name toward those in the Muslim communities. And thus, in prayer and thinking about the opportunities available to us in Morocco, opportunity arose because it provides a potential model for not just other Muslim nations but for Christian-Muslim collaboration on a variety of levels.

And why did you choose Morocco?

We chose Morocco because it has a history that includes a very dynamic, culturally diverse society that is modernizing and is open to evangelical Christian outreach. But it also is a society that was never occupied during the Ottoman Empire and is a bridge toward other Islamic states and nations.

What are the results coming out of this meeting?

On February 29 to March 8, a nine-member delegation visited Morocco and met with the nation's prime minister, cabinet ministers, regional governors, and then top Muslim, Jewish, and Roman Catholic authorities. And as a result of those meetings, there has been an agreement to allow in Morocco for the first time, openly identified Christian development projects, as well as cultural initiatives, such as a Christian music concert for the following spring.

So the consequences of the trip are, among other things, a breakthrough in relations with an Islamic state that we believe will build a more respectful positive dialogue between evangelical Christians and Muslims around the world. Other nations are looking at what's occurring in Morocco, and we believe it's a model for dialogue that could be patterned elsewhere.

What about evangelism?

The status of religious freedom in Morocco was one of those issues we repeatedly raised with top governmental officials, including the prime minister and the cabinet minister for Islamic affairs. And proselytizing, by law, is prohibited. On the other hand, simply explaining your faith, who we are as Christians, and that we are hoping to have dialogue—not just what Christians believe but also hearing what Muslims believe—is an opportunity for both sides to learn. We have been assured that to answer questions, when asked, about why we are there and what we believe about Christ, is not going to be a problem. This is primarily a passive type of witness—by our lives, our actions, and dispositions. Active proselytizing is, and would be, a different matter entirely.

What's next in this process?

A couple of other stated achievements of the delegation's visit are a Christian music concert in Marrakech in 2005, which we think will help build some bridges, as well as further theological exchanges, both this fall and in the spring, in collaboration with other evangelical groups. Those are some of the developments we have on our calendar.

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June 2004, Vol. 48, No. 6