Moroccan King: Citizens Should Refrain from Sacrificing Sheep This Year

Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco, urged his citizens to refrain from sacrificing sheep this year due to a decrease in livestock numbers caused by years of drought. In a letter read by Ahmed Toufiq, the Minister of Religious Affairs, on Thursday, March 9, on the state channel "Al-Aoula," it was stated: "Our commitment to providing suitable conditions for performing these religious rituals must be accompanied by an understanding of the climatic and economic challenges facing our country, as these challenges have led to a significant reduction in livestock numbers." The King emphasized that performing this sacrifice "in such difficult conditions would cause significant harm to large segments of the population, especially low-income groups." This year's Eid al-Adha falls on Friday, June 6, 2025. Eid al-Adha is an annual celebration during which Muslims sacrifice livestock to commemorate a narrative from the Quran, where the Prophet Ibrahim was prepared to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command, but God intervened and sent a sheep to be sacrificed instead. This holiday is one of the largest religious events from Senegal to Indonesia, deeply rooted in Islamic community traditions, where some families even take loans to buy sheep. However, the skyrocketing prices of sheep have become a serious issue. According to a survey conducted last year by the Moroccan NGO "Citizen Center," 55% of the surveyed families reported difficulties in affording the cost of purchasing a sacrificial sheep and the necessary supplies for preparation. This year, rainfall in Morocco has been 53% lower than the 30-year average, leading to a shortage of pastures and consequently a decrease in meat production and rising prices in the domestic market. Official statistics indicate that the number of cattle and sheep herds in Morocco has decreased by 38% in 2025 compared to the last census conducted nine years ago. According to King Mohammed VI, citizens should not slaughter animals this year during Eid al-Adha to preserve the dwindling livestock population in the country, which is facing climate change and drought. Climate change, exacerbated by human activities, has caused flooding in some areas and prolonged droughts in others. A recent study on over 600 animal and plant species shows that genetic diversity worldwide has declined, making it harder for living organisms to adapt to environmental changes.