Home Institution

Lehigh University

Publication Date

Spring 2008

Program Name

Morocco: Migration Studies

Abstract

This independent study project aims to explore the perceptions and politics associated with Moroccans who choose to wear religious dress, hijab or a beard. The topic of this research was based on the question, are physical markers that one chooses to wear related to a specific identity? And, more specifically, are any of these things related to a political Islamist identity in Morocco? The methods used in this research consist of interviews and surveys.

During the first half of this research project, in-depth interviews were conducted with established academics and officials living in Rabat and Casablanca in Morocco. The objective of these interviews was to acquire concrete historical and contemporary facts and opinions regarding religious and political dress in Morocco.

During the second half of the project period, surveys were distributed to English Studies students at University Mohammed V and Islamic Studies students at Dar El Hadith El Hassania. The responses provided valuable yet diverse answers regarding the perceptions of young intellectuals on the intertwined issues of religion, tradition and politics in Morocco. However despite the varied responses, there was a common perception that affiliation to a specific group or ideology cannot be determined based on physical dress or markers alone, but rather must be examined on an individual basis.

Disciplines

Social Psychology and Interaction | Sociology of Culture

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