For the first time under Mohammed VI, Moroccans are observing Eid al-Adha without the ritual of animal sacrifice, following a royal directive amid deepening economic hardship and an agricultural crisis.
Eid al-Adha is one of the most sacred days for Muslims worldwide, and Morocco is no exception. However this year, the occasion, which will be celebrated on 7 June in the North African country, is expected to look quite different.
The religious day commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son at God's command. Muslims mark this Eid by killing a sheep or other animals, sharing the meat among family and donating some meat to those less fortunate.
However, after seven years of dry weather, Morocco’s sheep herds have reduced by 38 percent, which has drastically increased the price of sheep. Last year, prices reached around $600 or $7-7.5 per kilo.
On the other hand, the minimum wage in the kingdom in 2025 is 3,100 dirhams a month ($335), making the cost of sheep out of reach for many.
