Ibtissame Lachgar: Activist Jailed For Blasphemy In Morocco

“She might die at any moment behind bars. We explained this to the court, and Lachgar herself clarified her condition to the court,” lawyers informed regional media covering the case, according to Morocco World Information.

MALI’s Activism in Morocco

The MALI activity, whose Arabic name converts in English to the Alternative Motion for Person Liberties, sustains females’s legal rights and LGBTQ+ rights in Morocco. Lachgar is a medical psycho therapist and therapist concentrating on criminology and a forthright protector of human rights in the region.

Lachgar was jailed on August 10, concerning a week and a half after she posted a picture of herself on social media putting on the t shirt with Allah’s name written in Arabic and the words “is lesbian” in English below. She made clear in one article on X her garb was intended to protest injustice by Islamic leaders between East.

Arrest and Charges

“This monstrous arrest in 2025 is an affront to liberty of thought and expression. Blasphemy legislations– middle ages antiques– exist not to secure people, yet to shield concepts from analysis. They target dissenters and apostates, sustaining apostophobia– the worry, hatred, and dehumanisation of those who leave religious beliefs– by criminalising our extremely presence,” reads an Ex-Muslims International op-ed that was shown to the hashtag #FreeBetty in August, following Lachgar’s detainment.

“In Morocco, I walk around with T-shirts birthing messages against religions, Islam, etc. We do collages with @MALImaroc,” she wrote in the blog post, which has actually been equated from French.

Conviction and Fine

The Rabat Primary Court on Wednesday provided the sentence to Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar, cofounder of the MALI movement, and fined her 50,000 Moroccan dirham, or regarding $5,000 U.S. bucks, according to Morocco World News. Judges located her guilty of going against the nation’s anti-blasphemy laws.

“In Morocco, I walk around with Tee shirts birthing messages against religious beliefs, Islam, and so on. Blasphemy regulations– middle ages relics– exist not to protect individuals, however to shield concepts from scrutiny. They target apostates and skeptics, fueling apostophobia– the worry, disgust, and dehumanisation of those who leave faith– by criminalising our very presence,” reviews an Ex-Muslims International op-ed that was shared with the hashtag #FreeBetty in August, following Lachgar’s detainment.