Rabat: The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has called on his people to refrain from sacrificing animals during Eid al-Adha, citing the severe impact of drought on the country’s livestock population and rising meat prices.
In an official statement read on Moroccan national television, a government representative conveyed the king’s message, emphasizing the economic and environmental difficulties to the nation.
"Our country is experiencing economic and climatic challenges, leading to a significant decline in livestock numbers," the king’s message stated.
While acknowledging the religious and cultural importance of Eid al-Adha, the monarch urged citizens to forgo animal sacrifices this year as a measure to mitigate the crisis.
Morocco has been grappling with persistent drought for the past seven consecutive years, leading to a 38% decline in livestock numbers over the past 12 months, according to official reports.
The Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture has revealed that rainfall levels have dropped by 53% compared to the average of the last three decades. The resulting drought has severely impacted local farmers and herders, exacerbating food shortages and price hikes.
The current situation echoes a similar crisis in 1966, when King Hassan II—the father of the current monarch—also asked Moroccans to refrain from Eid sacrifices due to extreme drought.
With meat prices soaring, lower-income families are struggling to afford basic food supplies, further intensifying the crisis.
The king’s appeal reflects a historic decision aimed at addressing Morocco’s worsening economic and environmental conditions. While Eid al-Adha traditionally involves the slaughter of millions of sheep, goats, cattle, and camels worldwide, Morocco’s livestock shortages and the high cost of meat make this year's sacrifices particularly challenging.
