Morocco’s decision for the upcoming Eid al-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, has come under scrutiny. This comes as a surprise since the country has a 99 per cent Muslim population, and the sacrifice of livestock is an important aspect of the festival. It is done to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham, being willing to sacrifice his son, showing faith and obedience to God’s command. But now, a royal decree has banned the sacrifice of goats, sheep, and other livestock, leading to widespread unrest among the community who believe in the spiritual significance and communal unity it brings.
Why Has The Sacrificial Ritual Been Banned?
King Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco, has given the directive to ban the sacrifice due to economic and health reasons. This is not the first time that such a directive has been given.
In February of this year, the King, in a letter read out by the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, mentioned that the climate crisis and economic hardships had led to the price of livestock increasing and the state witnessing a sheep shortage as well. The King, in his letter, stated, “Our commitment to enabling you to fulfil this religious rite under the best conditions is accompanied by the duty to consider the climatic and economic challenges facing our country, which have led to a significant decline in livestock numbers.”
The King further wrote that “Performing it (the rite) in these difficult circumstances will cause real harm to large segments of our people, especially those with limited income.”
According to a BBC report from February this year, official data revealed that Moroccan herds have declined by 38 per cent over the past decade, largely due to consecutive droughts. This led to dry pastures, a shortage of fodder, and water for animals.
Reports have also stated that the region saw rainfall this year 53 per cent below average. This resulted in meat production declining and directly increasing meat prices, so much so that around 100,000 sheep were imported from Australia. Import duties and VAT on cattle, sheep, and camels have also been removed.
Read More: In Pics: Here Are The Types of Eid Celebrated All Around The World
However, the public has not responded well to this ban, showing anger and frustration. Many, including scholars and religious leaders, believe that it is encroaching on religious traditions that have been carried out for centuries. Reports also claim that protests took place, with people accusing the government of violating religious practices.
Some videos have also been uploaded on social media that show authorities raiding the residences of people and searching and confiscating goats, as per reports. A nationwide campaign has also been launched, where public and seasonal livestock markets are being closed. Local officials and governors have been told to enforce the ban properly, all being done to prevent the sale of these sacrificial animals for the festival.
A Morocco World News report also claims that an order for all weekly sheep markets to be shut down has been given. Gatherings that are either about the sale or slaughter of these animals have also been banned, temporarily closing municipal slaughterhouses, and even the sale of animal slaughter tools has been banned in certain areas. This could also have its own economic repercussions, especially for sectors such as seasonal workers, small-scale traders, vendors, and others who typically see a significant profit during this time.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: India.com, Morocco World News, Reuters
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This post is tagged under: Eid, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Adha 2025, Goat, goat sacrifice, Sacrifice, saving goats, Drought in Morocco, Eid in morocco, livestock in Morocco, Morocco, Morocco livestock, Morocco economy, King Mohammed V
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