Portrait of Loubna Abidar

Photo: Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Morocco · Nationality Moroccan — Culture / media / celebrities

Loubna Abidar

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “Much Loved: film ban, complaint alleging pornography/indecency and campaign of threats” and “Assault in Casablanca after film controversy and departure for France”.

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Profile No. 0637 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Loubna Abidar

Photo: Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

5Documented controversies+ 1 background event
13Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

I. Documented controversies

01

September 2017

Mockery of Hatim Ammor's appearance and allusion to sex change: social media controversy

No legal proceedings

Abidar posted a montage on Facebook mocking singer Hatim Ammor's appearance and wrote that she feared he would 'change sex' the following year. The comment sparked controversy on social media and was described by some outlets as insulting or mocking an appearance perceived as feminine.

State of the evidence
Reported by the press
Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Directly implicated

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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02

2015-2016

Sweeping remarks about Maghrebi women, sex and alcohol: criticism of caricature

No legal proceedings

In several interviews, Abidar described Morocco as one of the major consumers of sex and alcohol while denouncing social hypocrisy, then stated on France 2 that women in the Maghreb were, among other things, driven to marry very young or become sex workers. The programme's commentators challenged her over the risk of generalisation and caricature.

State of the evidence
Documented
Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Directly implicated

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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03

2015

Much Loved: film ban, complaint alleging pornography/indecency and campaign of threats

Allegations

After Cannes, 'Much Loved' was banned in Morocco on the grounds that it undermined the country's moral values and image. An association brought proceedings against Nabil Ayouch and Loubna Abidar for 'pornography, indecency and inciting minors to debauchery', while the actress faced a hate campaign and threats. In February 2016, the Marrakech court dismissed the complaint brought by the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Citizens on procedural grounds/lack of standing.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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04

November 2015

Assault in Casablanca after film controversy and departure for France

Protagonist is the victim

Protagonist is the victim — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

Abidar appeared injured after stating that three young men had assaulted her in Casablanca amid threats following 'Much Loved'. She subsequently left Morocco for France, explaining that she feared for her safety.

State of the evidence
Documented
Role of the person profiled
Protagonist is the victim

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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05

November 2015

Allegations against police and medical services following assault: official denial and DGSN complaint

Allegations

In a video following her assault, Abidar alleged that no police station or doctor had agreed to treat her and that she had been mocked. Casablanca police disputed her account, and the DGSN subsequently announced a complaint, considering her statements false and damaging to its officers.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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II. Documented background

Documented biographical or institutional milestones (elections, appointments, foundings, acquisitions…). These are not controversies and are not counted as such.

  1. March 2016

    Stay in France: public acknowledgement of irregular immigration status before announced regularisation

    Living in France since November 2015 on a short-stay Schengen visa, Abidar admitted to TelQuel that she had exceeded the limit of 90 days in 180 and was therefore 'in an irregular situation'.

    Sources · 1
    1. TelQuel — Non, Loubna Abidar n’est pas menacée d’expulsion en France

III. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

IV. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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