Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has urged the country’s citizens to refrain from slaughtering sheep during this year’s Eid al-Adha, citing the devastating effects of years of drought on the nation’s livestock population. The religious festival, set to take place in June, traditionally involves Muslims slaughtering sheep or goats to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The meat is shared among family members and donated to the less fortunate.

However, due to severe drought conditions, Morocco’s cattle and sheep herds have decreased by 38% since the last census in 2016. In a letter read on his behalf by religious affairs minister Ahmed Taoufiq, King Mohammed VI highlighted the significant challenges facing the country, including a 53% reduction in rainfall compared to the average over the past three decades, which has led to a shortage of grazing land for livestock. The resulting drop in meat production has caused prices to surge and led to an increase in the importation of sheep and cattle.

The King expressed concern that the traditional practice of slaughtering sheep under these difficult circumstances could negatively impact many Moroccans, particularly those with limited incomes. To help stabilize the market, the government has signed an agreement to import up to 100,000 sheep from Australia and suspended import duties and taxes on livestock and red meat in its 2025 budget. Despite these measures, the King called for a collective effort to address the crisis and to preserve the welfare of the Moroccan people.