Moroccan King Mohammed VI has urged citizens to refrain from slaughtering sacrificial animals during this year’s Eid al-Adha in June due to a significant decline in livestock numbers caused by years of drought.
اضافة اعلان
Official figures indicate that the number of cattle and sheep in Morocco has dropped by 38% in 2025 compared to the last livestock census nine years ago, following successive drought waves.
In a statement read on his behalf by Minister of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq and broadcasted on Moroccan national television,
the King stated:
"Our commitment to enabling you to fulfill this religious ritual under the best conditions must be accompanied by an awareness of the climate and economic challenges our country is facing, which have led to a significant decline in livestock numbers."
He added:
"Considering that Eid al-Adha is a confirmed Sunnah for those who can afford it, performing the ritual under these difficult circumstances would cause harm to large segments of our people, especially those with limited income."
Rainfall levels this year have dropped by 53% compared to the average over the past 30 years, resulting in pasture shortages for livestock. This has led to a decline in meat production, soaring market prices, and increased imports of live cattle, sheep, and red meat.
Morocco recently signed a deal to import up to 100,000 sheep from Australia to address the shortage.
As part of its 2025 budget, the Moroccan government suspended import duties and value-added tax (VAT) on cattle, sheep, camels, and red meat to stabilize market prices.
A similar decision was previously made by the late King Hassan II, who urged citizens to refrain from slaughtering sacrificial animals in 1963, 1981, and 1996 due to comparable crises.
