Population: 32,725,847 Capital: Rabat Size: 172,414 sq. mi. Ethnic Groups: Arab-65%, Berber-34%, Other-1% Languages: Arabic, Berber, French, Spanish, English Chief Religion: Sunni Muslim-99%

Moroccan Arab - The Arabs of Morocco number 14,742,000. They are mostly rural peasants. They farm and grow large quantities of grains. In areas where there is plenty of water, they also grow vegetables and fruits. Most of them raise chickens, goats and sheep. They do very little hunting and fishing but trade with other tribes.

It is a male-dominated society which means that the male lineage is given more honor and all inheritances are passed down through the males. Like other Arabs, they wear cotton turbans or caps with djellabas, which are long sleeved cotton tunics. Their lives center on important ceremonies, such as birth, marriage, and death. They only marry those inside their own group to preserve their people. Virtually all of the Moroccan Arabs in this region are Muslim. They adhere to the Koran and observe the five basic “pillars” of Islam which include affirming that there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet; pray five times a day facing Mecca; giving of generous alms; fasting during Ramadan, and making at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in their lifetime. According to Islamic law, Muslims who profess faith in Jesus Christ can (and often are) put to death. This is probably why less than 1% have become believers.

Shluh, Tachelhit - The Shluh, also known as Sousi Berbers, live in the western High Atlas and the Anti Atlas Mountains of southwestern Morocco. There are 2,956,000 of them in Morocco. They are a poor but proud people. They are tough and hard working and scratch out a meager existence in a part of the world that is physically antagonistic to an agricultural society. No other group in Morocco has achieved as much as this group. The key to their success is a high degree of unity. Thier unity extends beyond tribal boundaries to encompass all who speak their native language, Tachelhit.

Although they are 99.5% Muslim, their religion is mingled with spiritism and mysticism. Interestingly, this blended religion has created in them a curiosity and yearning to know more about their god. They worship a god whom they believe wants to be present in their daily lives. Such a spiritual climate is ripe for a presentation of the Gospel! Unfortunately, distribution of Bibles is against the law at this time.

No church currently exists among the Shluh, and only portions of the Bible have been translated into Tachelhit. It is illegal for a Moroccan to become a Christian or to evangelize others; however, the Shluh are showing an interest in Christianity.