Kafala

Kafala, loosely translated, is the Islamic practice of committing to raising a non-biological child. While the kafleen parents care for and protect the child, Islam acknowledges the child's right to know their birth family heritage and does not consider the child adopted in a western sense. 

A federal Canadian government website states: "As kafala does not create a legal parent-child relationship between the child who is taken in charge and the person holding the right, it cannot be considered adoption. In fact, kafala is not covered by the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which applies only to adoptions that create a permanent parent-child relationship (Art2.)" 

Some Muslim countries do not allow any international Kafalas, while others allow only nationals living abroad to adopt. Morocco allows international Kafalas for Muslims of any nationality. Prospective parents must be Muslim and commit to raising the child as Sunni Muslim. Single women may adopt, same-sex couples may not. If you are interested in completing a Kafala in Morocco, please contact Julie for additional details.

• Morocco is the only country from which you can complete a kafala in Ontario
• Must be Sunni-Muslim
• Married couples and single women accepted

Want to learn more or discuss Kafala?