A Moroccan appeals court on Monday upheld a 30-month prison sentence against prominent feminist activist Ibtissame Lachgar over blasphemy charges, following widespread controversy sparked by a social media post that authorities deemed offensive to Islam.
The 50-year-old clinical psychologist and long-time women’s rights campaigner was originally sentenced last month to two and a half years in prison and fined 50,000 dirhams ($5,500). Her arrest in August came after she posted an image of herself wearing a T-shirt printed with the words “Allah is lesbian” a slogan that triggered intense backlash online and across the country.
Lachgar, who has been a vocal advocate for gender equality and individual freedoms in Morocco, argued that the phrase was meant as a feminist expression of inclusion rather than an insult to religion. In court, she reiterated that the slogan “had nothing to do with Islam in particular,” but rather aimed to challenge patriarchal structures and spark conversation about sexuality and identity.
However, prosecutors maintained that the post posed a “threat to public order and the spiritual well-being of Moroccans,” asking the court not only to uphold the conviction but also to increase her sentence.
According to Moroccan law, blasphemy or “offending the Islamic religion” is punishable by up to two years in prison, and up to five years if committed publicly, including through electronic means.
Lachgar’s legal team, led by Ghizlane Mamouni, announced plans to appeal again before a higher court and to request a possible alternative penalty, such as house arrest or community service, which Moroccan law allows in certain circumstances.
Her lawyers have also emphasized serious health concerns, saying Lachgar suffers from cancer and requires urgent surgery on her left arm to prevent amputation. Despite multiple requests for her release on medical grounds, the court has so far refused to suspend her sentence.
The case has drawn international condemnation. Human Rights Watch called the ruling a “huge blow to free speech,” urging Moroccan authorities to overturn what it described as a politically motivated sentence.
Lachgar, a co-founder of the Alternative Movement for Individual Freedoms (MALI), has long been a controversial yet influential figure in Moroccan civil society. She is known for challenging taboos surrounding religion, sexuality, and women’s rights in a country where such topics remain highly sensitive.
Her case reignites debate in Morocco over the limits of freedom of expression and the role of religion in public life. While supporters see her as a symbol of resistance against censorship and patriarchy, critics accuse her of crossing red lines and deliberately provoking outrage in a conservative society.
The latest court decision signals that Moroccan authorities remain firm in applying strict interpretations of religious protection laws even as international rights groups and activists continue to call for reforms
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