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The 12th annual African Consortium on Law and Religion Studies (ACLARS) took place from May 18 to May 21, 2025, at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Ben Guerir, Morocco. The event focused on "Law, Religion and Work in Africa" and drew over 150 delegates from 21 African countries, as well as participants from the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Elder Alfred Kyungu, General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa West Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke at the opening session. He expressed gratitude for being part of the conference. "It is significant that we are meeting here in Morocco," he said. "Morocco has endeavored to be a model for religious and cultural diversity as well as interfaith respect and religious pluralism."
Kyungu highlighted Morocco's historical role in providing refuge for Muslims and Jews fleeing persecution during the 15th and 16th centuries. He noted that Morocco has been a venue for important discussions on law, religion, and peace. "May we all bring our best efforts to protecting religion and religious people in their labors as a means of bringing peace across Africa,” he added.
A Lahcen Ben Brahim Sguenfle, president of the local Council of Ulamas of the Prefecture of Skhirate-Temara, addressed the conference theme by stating: "We cannot generate wealth without work. Man is the representative of God on earth... Our religion teaches us to protect our environment."
The conference included plenary sessions with discussion panels covering topics such as law, religion and work case studies; religious dress and holidays in workplaces; church autonomy; child labor; religious diversity; minorities in workplaces; and exploitation of women workers.
The next edition will take place from May 17 to May 20, 2026, in Kigali, Rwanda.
