No Sacrifice This Eid-ul-Azha Celebration: Discover Why an Islamic Country Is Making This Request

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The King of Morocco, an Islamic country in North Africa, has called on people to refrain from sacrificing sheep during this year’s Eid-ul-Azha, also known as Bakrid. King Mohammed VI has urged citizens to avoid the ritual sacrifice during the religious festival due to the ongoing drought, which has impacted the country for the seventh consecutive year. This prolonged drought has led to a significant decrease in livestock population and a rise in meat prices.

Every year, Muslims across the world sacrifice millions of sheep, goats, and other animals during Eid-ul-Azha. This year, Eid-ul-Azha is expected to be celebrated on June 6 or 7. It is one of the two major festivals in Islam, commemorating the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). The holiday is also known as Bakrid, Eid-ul-Zuha, Bakra Eid, or Eid-ul-Bakra. The tradition includes prayers followed by the sacrifice of animals, and the meat is shared with family members, with a portion donated to the poor.

In a speech read by the Minister of Religious Affairs on national television on Wednesday, King Mohammed VI said, “Our country is facing climate and economic challenges, resulting in a significant decline in livestock. Therefore, avoid the sacrifice of animals this Eid.” Acknowledging the importance of Eid, the king urged his people to “refrain from the sacrificial ritual.” This is similar to a call made by his father, King Hassan II, in 1966, when Morocco was facing a long drought.

The decline in livestock has caused a surge in meat prices, putting additional pressure on the poor, whose minimum wage is approximately 290 euros per month. Morocco is experiencing its seventh consecutive year of drought, resulting in a 38% decline in livestock numbers over the past 12 months. According to Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, rainfall has been 53% lower than the average over the last 30 years.