By Emmanuel Nduka
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has called on citizens to forgo the traditional sheep sacrifice during this year’s Eid Al-Adha holiday, citing the country’s ongoing economic challenges and the devastating impact of climate change.
The royal request, made public through Minister of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq on state-run Al Aoula television, highlighted a severe shortage of livestock and the soaring prices that have left many Moroccans unable to afford the ritual.
In a letter from the King, read by Toufiq, the monarch urged the nation to acknowledge the hardship many are facing.
As Morocco’s highest religious authority, King Mohammed VI expressed concern that continuing the tradition could place a heavy burden on lower-income families, who would face “real harm” in their struggle to afford the necessary sheep and related expenses.
This unprecedented decree marks a departure from long-standing tradition. Eid al-Adha, which this year falls in early June, is a significant holiday for Muslims worldwide, commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, who intervened and replaced the son with a ram.
In Morocco, the custom of sacrificing sheep has been a cornerstone of the celebration, with families gathering for feasts and, in some cases, even taking out loans to afford the livestock.
However, a combination of economic factors has made the practice increasingly difficult.
The Moroccan Center for Citizenship, an NGO, reported that 55 percent of families surveyed last year found it challenging to afford the rising costs of sheep and the necessary tools for preparation. This is largely due to a six-year drought in North Africa, which has caused food prices to soar and pastureland to diminish.
The agricultural minister recently reported that rainfall this season is 53 percent below the historical average, while the country’s livestock herds have shrunk by 38 percent since 2016.
The high costs of sheep have become a serious issue, with prices regularly exceeding the monthly minimum wage of 3,000 dirhams ($302). In response, the government has subsidized livestock imports from countries such as Australia, Spain, and Romania, but the cost remains prohibitive for many Moroccan families.
This royal directive is the first of its kind in nearly three decades. Previous monarchs, including King Hassan II, issued similar decrees during times of war, drought, and economic strain.
Meanwhile, activists, including trade unions, have criticized the government’s efforts to address food price hikes, arguing that more significant actions are needed to alleviate the burdens on ordinary citizens.
