Morocco expels missionaries

Rabat, 30 March-(ANA)-Morocco has expelled five European missionaries for attempting to convert local Muslims to Christianity.

The five women have been put on a ferry and sent to Spain - the home country of four of the five. The other is German.

Morocco prides itself on its religious tolerance, but it has also cracked down on Shia Muslims in recent weeks.

It is against the law to try to convert Muslims in Morocco and the interior ministry spokesman said the five had been caught "red-handed".

A number of video cassettes in Arabic were apparently found when police broke up the meeting, described as Evangelical. (ANA)

FA/ANA/30 March 2009---