King Mohammed VI of Morocco has made a plea to the Moroccan people to refrain from performing the traditional rite of slaughtering sheep on Eid al-Adha this year. The request comes as a response to a significant drop in the country's livestock numbers, particularly cattle and sheep, following years of drought.
Eid al-Adha, a religious holiday that falls in June this year, commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Muslims typically mark the occasion by slaughtering sheep or goats, with the meat being shared among family members and donated to the less fortunate.
Official figures indicate that Morocco's cattle and sheep herds have decreased by 38% since the last census conducted nine years ago, largely due to the impact of consecutive droughts on the country's agriculture and livestock sector.
In a letter read on his behalf by the Minister of Religious Affairs on state TV Al Oula, King Mohammed VI emphasized the importance of considering the climatic and economic challenges facing the nation. The King highlighted that performing the traditional rite of sheep slaughter under the current circumstances could exacerbate the hardships faced by many Moroccans, particularly those with limited incomes.
The reduced rainfall in the country, which was 53% below the average of the last 30 years, has resulted in a scarcity of pasture for livestock to graze on. This has led to a decline in meat production, causing prices to rise in the local market and prompting increased imports of live cattle, sheep, and red meat.
As part of efforts to address the situation, Morocco recently signed a deal to import up to 100,000 sheep from Australia. Additionally, the country has taken measures in its 2025 budget to suspend import duties and value-added tax on cattle, sheep, camels, and red meat in order to stabilize prices in the domestic market.
