Morocco Urges Restraint in Eid al-Adha Celebrations Following King’s Directive

"The approach of Eid al-Adha requires combining efforts and intensifying awareness campaigns to successfully navigate this important stage and ensure the suspension of slaughter," said these association activists, emphasizing that "awareness is necessary during this period to explain the importance of respecting the (royal) decision, its religious, national and social dimensions, and to avoid any misinterpretation, insisting on the fact that the decision of the Commander of the Faithful responds to the purposes of Sharia, and that collective consciousness will help to positively overcome this stage."

In a statement to Hespress, Khalid Touzani, president of the Moroccan Center for Cultural Investment (Massaq), affirmed that "in the exceptional circumstances that Morocco is going through due to drought and its repercussions on the national livestock, the directives of the Commander of the Faithful, King Mohammed VI, not to proceed with the slaughter of sacrifices this year, are part of the preservation of national resources." The official insisted on the importance of making Moroccans understand that "obedience to the Commander of the Faithful in what is good is an obligation, and that the decision not to proceed with slaughter is not a prohibition of an act of worship, but a preservation of livestock and prevention of waste in times of crisis, in accordance with the purposes of Islamic Sharia."

Touzani further reminded Moroccans of "the importance of solidarity in times of crisis, and that everyone’s commitment to the decision of the Commander of the Faithful reflects the depth of cohesion between the people and the king, and strengthens the unity and solidarity of Moroccans." He concluded by inviting all actors (media, ulema, public institutions, civil society) to mobilize and pool their efforts for the success of these awareness campaigns.

Ilham Belflihi, Secretary General of the Moroccan Network of the Civil Alliance for Youth, will for her part invite to "deconstruct ideas that circulate discreetly within society, such as slaughter on the evening of Eid or a day before, through a clear national campaign involving all parties." The human rights and civil society activist also emphasized "the need to target rural communities, since the livestock stocks available in these areas are essential to support this orientation announced by the Commander of the Faithful to Moroccans not to proceed with slaughter." She continued: "It is necessary to act early to counter any attempt harmful to the general interest... We are facing an important national test that requires a lot of rigor and commitment."