Morocco Announces Special Holiday for Eid Al-Adha on June 9
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The Moroccan government has announced that Monday, June 9, will be a special holiday for Eid Al-Adha, according to a statement from the Head of Government’s office, as reported by Morocco World News. This decision was made in accordance with Article 3 of Decree No. 2.05.916 issued on July 20, 2005, as amended and supplemented.
Eid Al-Adha, which falls on Saturday, June 7, corresponding to the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446H, marks an important occasion in the Islamic calendar. The Morocco World News report states that the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs had previously announced on Tuesday, May 27, that the month of Dhu al-Qa’dah had completed thirty days. Consequently, the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah is Thursday, May 29, with Eid Al-Adha falling on Saturday, June 7.
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs had monitored the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah for the year 1446H after sunset on Tuesday, the 29th of Dhu al-Qa’dah (May 27), as per the Morocco World News report. Officials contacted all Islamic Affairs delegates across the kingdom and units of the Royal Armed Forces participating in the crescent observation, who unanimously confirmed that the crescent was not visible.
This year’s Eid Al-Adha comes under exceptional circumstances as Moroccans have been called to abstain from the traditional sacrifice. On February 26, King Mohammed VI urged citizens to refrain from performing the ritual sacrifice this year due to the alarming decline in the national livestock population, as reported by Morocco World News. The royal appeal was motivated by economic rather than religious considerations.
The national livestock, particularly sheep, has decreased by 38% since 2016, with the number of female breeding stock falling to 8.7 million heads in 2024, compared to 11 million in 2016. This decline threatens the sector’s sustainability and has caused red meat prices to soar. The COVID-19 pandemic followed by several years of drought severely impacted livestock numbers. In normal years, approximately 5.5 to 6 million animals would be sacrificed during Eid Al-Adha.
Continuing this practice this year would further deplete breeding stock and potentially drive meat prices to MAD 200 ($20) per kilogram. While there is no formal ban on sacrifices, authorities are implementing stricter enforcement of regulations regarding informal practices associated with the holiday. The government has launched a MAD 3 billion ($300 billion) program to help rebuild livestock numbers, with an additional MAD 3.2 billion ($320 million) planned for 2026 to support breeders participating in the female breeding stock preservation campaign, according to Morocco World News.
The special holiday on June 9 is expected to provide a much-needed break for government departments and local authorities, allowing them to observe the festival with their families. As reported by Morocco World News, the Head of Government’s office has confirmed that the holiday extends the observance of the festival, which falls on Saturday, June 7.
In conclusion, the Moroccan government’s decision to declare June 9 a special holiday for Eid Al-Adha is a welcome move, providing a much-needed break for government departments and local authorities. However, the exceptional circumstances surrounding this year’s Eid Al-Adha, including the decline in national livestock population and the urging of citizens to abstain from the traditional sacrifice, highlight the challenges facing the country’s livestock sector. As Morocco World News reports, the government’s efforts to rebuild livestock numbers and support breeders will be crucial in ensuring the sustainability of the sector.
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