How did Islam spread to Morocco in the late 7th century?

In the late 7th century, Islam was introduced to Morocco by Arab invaders from the East. This expansion was part of a broader, systematic effort by the Umayyad caliphs to conquer the Maghrib and counter the influence of the Byzantine Empire.12

A pivotal moment occurred in 682, when the Arab commander ‘Uqbah ibn Nāfi‘ led his troops across northern Morocco, reaching the Atlantic Ocean and penetrating as far south as the Sūs and Drāa river regions.2

The Imazighen (Berbers) were not forcibly converted or systematically missionized by the conquerors. Instead, they gradually assimilated the religion over time. Islam gained significant appeal among the indigenous peoples because its teachings provided an ideological framework through which they could justify their resistance against the caliphs and support leaders who challenged caliphal authority. By the 11th century, the Berbers had become largely Islamized.21