Morocco’s King asks citizens to abstain from performing rite of sheep slaughtering on Eid Al Adha

King Mohammed VI, in his capacity as Commander of the Faithful, asked Moroccans to abstain from performing the rite of slaughtering on Eid Al Adha this year in a context of “climatic and economic challenges.”

In an address read on his behalf by Religious Affairs Minister Ahmed Taoufiq, the King highlighted the significance of Eid Al Adha which “carries strong religious connotations, embodying the deep connection of our loyal subjects to the manifestations of our noble religion and their eagerness to draw closer to Almighty God and to strengthen social and family ties through this noble occasion.”

“Our commitment to enabling you to fulfill 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,” King Mohammed VI said.

“To this end, and considering that Eid al-Adha is a confirmed Sunnah for those who are able, performing it under these difficult circumstances will cause significant harm to large segments of our people, especially those with limited income,” he said.

The King said he will perform the sacrifice on behalf of the Moroccan people.

“We urge you to celebrate Eid al-Adha, God willing, according to its usual rituals and its noble spiritual meanings, and what is associated with it, such as the Eid prayer in prayer grounds and mosques, giving charity, maintaining family ties, and all forms of blessings and gratitude to God for His blessings, with the request for reward and recompense,” he said.

Morocco’s cattle and sheep herd dropped by 38% compared to 2016, due to lack of pasture amid a lack of rainfall.

A Moroccan agriculture and food safety delegation has been to Australia to sign a deal to import sheep and cattle which comes at a context where Morocco’s sheep herd has decreased due to consecutive droughts.

Prices of live sheep, cattle and red meat rose amid a drop in local production. The government suspended the custom duty and VAT on imports to keep prices stable.