King Mohammed VI has urged Moroccans to refrain from the traditional practice of sheep slaughter during Eid al-Adha this year, citing a significant decline in the nation’s livestock population.
This decline is attributed to seven consecutive years of drought.
Eid al-Adha, which occurs in June, honors the readiness of Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command.
During this occasion, Muslims typically slaughter sheep or other animals, distributing the meat among family members and donating to those in need.
However, official statistics indicate that Morocco’s herds have decreased by 38% over the past decade due to insufficient grazing land.
Meat prices are soaring, prompting the importation of 100,000 sheep from Australia.
In a speech delivered by the minister of religious affairs on national television, King Mohammed VI stated that conducting the rite “under these challenging circumstances will inflict considerable hardship on many of our citizens, particularly those with limited financial means.”
This appeal echoes a similar one made by his father, Hassan II, in 1966 during a period of severe drought.
In a recent interview, Morocco’s agriculture minister, Ahmed Bouari, explained that “the necessity to prioritize water for essential sectors, such as transportation and industry,” has severely impacted agriculture, with many irrigation areas facing stringent regulations and water rationing.
To help stabilize prices throughout Morocco, import taxes and VAT on cattle, sheep, camels, and red meat have recently been eliminated.
