salaam
Morocco has appointed 50 women as state preachers for the first time as part of the government's drive to promote a more tolerant version of Islam.
The Islamic guides, called Mourchidats, will be able to give basic religious instruction in mosques.
But they will not be able to lead Friday prayers, which will remain a male preserve.
Since suicide bombers struck Casablanca in 2003, there has been a crackdown on suspected Islamic militants.
The country has also been attempting to modernise its human rights, especially for women, while not alienating conservative Muslims.
full article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4971792.stm