In Morocco, authorities have launched an investigation into the country's first blind dating show following a week-long controversy over the programme's concept and dress code.
Local media reported, citing security sources, that "the ongoing judicial inquiries aim to determine whether the video contains elements that constitute crimes punishable under Moroccan law."
On 11 April, the Moroccan YouTube account Kawaliss published a 40-minute video titled "Blind Dating By Outfit," the first episode of a planned YouTube series that emulates a popular American show of the same name.
This isn't the account's first time publishing such content. Launched in February, the channel garnered over 60,000 followers with a similar series titled "Speed Dating".
Previous dating episodes sparked heated debates about the dating concept in Moroccan society, with many claiming the channel aims to import "Western values" into "our Muslim society."
However, the latest Blind Dating episode provoked a stronger reaction, primarily not over the concept but over the protagonist's short skirt.
Armani, a Dutch-Moroccan woman, starred in the controversial show's first episode, choosing her date from several male participants based solely on their outfits.
However, her outfit, a brown ensemble of a short skirt and gilet, took the spotlight as it was deemed inappropriate by most of the episode's 1.8 million viewers, some of whom even called for legal action against the participant and producers.
The identity behind the channel remains unknown. TNA contacted Kawaliss for comment but received no response by the time of publication.
Armani apologised on her personal TikTok account for the video's content and dress code, stating that she "did not grow up in Moroccan society, but in the Netherlands, where short skirts are normal."
According to Article 483 of the Moroccan Penal Code, anyone who publicly commits an act of indecency, either through deliberate nudity or obscenity in gestures or actions, faces imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of 50 dollars.
However, this article is rarely invoked, mainly because the term "indecency" remains vague and open to interpretation in court.
Nevertheless, Moroccan lawyer Hayat Moutawakil suggests that the producers and participants could also be punished for the "incitement of minors to prostitution."
"The programme did not include any warnings advising minors not to watch the content," the lawyer pointed out, claiming the participant picking and choosing from several participants is an incitement of prostitution.
Inciting minors into prostitution carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, according to the country's penal code.
A social media campaign has called on authorities to remove all content that goes against the "Islamic values of Moroccan society."
Meanwhile, many young Moroccan social media users have defended the participant and the programme, insisting that freedom of speech will not be guaranteed in the country if people continue to police each other's ideas, lifestyles, and dress codes.