A prominent Moroccan feminist activist has been arrested after posting a photograph of herself wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Allah is a lesbian” — sparking a fierce debate on free speech, blasphemy laws, and women’s rights.
Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar, 50, was taken into custody on Sunday (10 August) and now faces up to two years in prison if convicted of violating Morocco’s blasphemy laws. The arrest follows a social media post in which she wore the black T-shirt alongside a message condemning religious ideologies.
“In Morocco, I walk around with T-shirts bearing messages against religions, Islam, etc. You tire us with your sanctimoniousness, your accusations,” she wrote on X, as reported by LBC. “Yes, Islam, like any religious ideology, is FASCIST. PHALLOCRATIC AND MISOGYNISTIC.”
According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Rabat Court of First Instance, the post contained “phrases offensive to the divine” and a caption “insulting Islam.” Officials confirmed that she was placed in police custody “due to the urgency of the matter” while an investigation is conducted.