King Mohammed VI of Morocco has urged citizens not to perform the traditional sheep sacrifice during this year’s Eid al-Adha. He made this appeal on Wednesday, citing a severe drop in livestock numbers due to prolonged droughts.
Eid al-Adha, set for June, is one of the most important Islamic holidays. It honors Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son to obey God. Muslims typically mark the occasion by slaughtering sheep, goats, or other livestock. The meat is shared with family, friends, and those in need.
However, Morocco’s livestock numbers have taken a hit. Official data shows that cattle and sheep herds have shrunk by 38% in 2025 compared to the last census nine years ago. Ongoing droughts have led to water shortages and barren grazing lands, leaving many farmers struggling.
In a message delivered on state television Al Oula, Religious Affairs Minister Ahmed Taoufiq read the King’s statement: “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.”
As Morocco’s top religious leader, King Mohammed VI stressed the need to balance tradition with reality. He warned that performing the ritual “under these difficult circumstances will cause significant harm to large segments of our people, especially those with limited income.”
The drought has also worsened food security. Rainfall this year was 53% lower than the 30-year average. With pastures drying up, livestock had little to eat. This led to a drop in meat production, driving up prices in local markets and increasing imports of live animals and red meat.
To help ease the crisis, Morocco has signed a deal to import up to 100,000 sheep from Australia. The government also introduced measures in its 2025 budget to stabilize meat prices. It suspended import duties and value-added taxes on cattle, sheep, camels, and red meat to make food more affordable.
This rare call to skip the Eid sacrifice highlights Morocco’s struggle with climate change and its impact on everyday life. It shows the King’s focus on practical solutions during tough times, balancing faith and the nation’s needs.