King Mohammed VI of Morocco has called on citizens to refrain from performing the traditional sacrifice of sheep during this year’s Eid al-Adha. The decision follows seven consecutive years of drought, which have severely impacted Morocco’s agricultural sector and is therefore seeing a significant decline in the country’s livestock.
Eid al-Adha, observed in June, marks Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Traditionally, Muslims commemorate the occasion by slaughtering sheep or other animals, with the meat distributed among family and donated to the poor. However, Morocco’s sheep population has decreased by 38% over the past decade due to harsh climate conditions, leading to soaring meat prices. The country has resorted to importing 100,000 sheep from Australia to meet demand.
King Mohammed VI addressed the nation through his minister of religious affairs, emphasizing that performing the sacrifice under current economic strains would severely impact low-income households. His father, King Hassan II, had made a similar appeal in 1966 when Morocco faced another period of extreme drought.
Agriculture Minister Ahmed Bouari recently explained that the need to allocate water to priority sectors like drinking supplies and industry has left agriculture as the hardest-hit sector. Strict water rationing and irrigation regulations have exacerbated the crisis, making it difficult for farmers to sustain their herds.
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To mitigate rising costs, Morocco has removed import taxes and VAT on cattle, sheep, camels, and red meat, hoping to stabilize market prices. However, the economic strain remains a pressing issue, with many Moroccans struggling to afford livestock for the religious rite. The King’s appeal reflects both economic and environmental concerns, urging Moroccans to adapt to the current challenges. While the animal sacrifice is a practise executed by the muslim society during Eid al-Adha, the nation faces the difficult task of balancing faith with economic realities.
