Morocco has recently started recruiting and training mourchidat, female Muslim clerics whose role is to help usher in a more moderate Islam, according to a report published in the Telegraph on Saturday. The Dar al-Hadith al-Hassania – a madrassa training the mourchidat (female guide) – is training a second batch of 50 female students, after a first batch of 50 graduated in April 2006. Men and women learn side by side, but only men will be able to lead prayers.
The mourchidat help women with religious questions, with their education and give support in schools and prisons. The long-term hope is that by working face-to-face with the community, they will help foster a more moderate Islam.
Funded by the government, the initiative is part of a wave of liberal reforms begun by King Muhammad VI in 2004. “This is a rare experiment in the Muslim world,” Muhammad Mahfudh, the centre’s director, said.
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