As King Urges People Not to Kill Sheep for ‘Big Eid,’ Many Moroccans Feel Relief

Moroccan families usually celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, with prayers at the mosque in the morning and sizzling meat skewers at night. But in recent years, many have been unable to afford basic necessities — much less the cost of a sheep to slaughter for one of Islam’s holiest festivals.

So when King Mohammed VI, citing “climate and economic challenges,” urged people last week not to buy sheep to slaughter for this year’s feast in June, it brought much-needed relief to the many Moroccans feeling torn between their faith, their traditions and their drained finances.

“Performing it under these difficult circumstances would cause certain harm to large segments of our people — especially those with limited incomes,” the king, who is also Morocco’s religious leader, said in a letter read by Ahmed Toufiq, the Islamic affairs minister, on state-owned television. “I will perform the Eid sacrifice rite, God willing, on behalf of my people,” the king added.

The country’s deep economic woes have worsened over seven years of drought, exacerbated by periods of extreme heat that scientists have linked to climate change. Recent rainfall has been 53 percent lower than the average of the last 30 years, according to the agriculture ministry. The cumulative effects of that have reduced harvest yields, dried up water sources and helped drive up food prices, including meat.

In that context, King Mohammed spoke about the challenges that Moroccans might face celebrating Eid al-Adha.

“My concern to enable you to observe this religious ritual in the best circumstances is accompanied by my duty to consider the climate and economic challenges facing our country, which have led to a significant decline in livestock numbers,” he said.