Morocco suspends Eid al-Adha sacrifices amid economic crisis

Moroccan authorities have initiated a nationwide crackdown on livestock markets, halting the sale of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid al-Adha 2025. The move, prompted by a royal directive from King Mohammed VI, aims to protect the country's shrinking livestock resources and reduce the financial burden on economically strained families.

The directive, issued earlier this year, called on citizens to avoid performing the traditional Eid sacrifice due to severe drought and ongoing economic difficulties that have significantly depleted livestock populations. Governors and local officials nationwide have been ordered to enforce the suspension.

As part of the enforcement measures, authorities have ordered the closure of public and seasonal livestock markets, particularly those that typically become active in the weeks leading up to Eid. Reports indicate that weekly ram markets have been shut down in several provinces, while gatherings related to the sale or slaughter of sacrificial animals have been banned. In some areas, even municipal slaughterhouses and the sale of slaughter tools have been temporarily halted.

The move has significant economic implications. Seasonal workers, street vendors, and small-scale traders—many of whom rely heavily on Eid sales for income—are expected to face financial hardship as a result of the suspension.

To preserve the spiritual essence of the holiday, King Mohammed VI announced that he would personally perform the Eid sacrifice on behalf of all Moroccans. This symbolic gesture has been widely praised by citizens, with many drawing parallels to the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who is reported to have sacrificed two rams—one for himself and another on behalf of those unable to do so.

As the nation adjusts to an unprecedented Eid without the traditional animal sacrifice, the emphasis is on resilience, collective sacrifice, and the long-term preservation of Morocco’s crucial agricultural resources.

Meanwhile, neighboring Algeria has ordered the import of around 1 million rams ahead of this year’s Eid sacrifices.