Eid al-Adha uncertain in Morocco
2007-12-10
Faced with his country's agricultural and economic troubles, King Mohammed VI may decide to cancel this year's celebration of Eid al-Adha.
By Imane Belhaj for Magharebia in Casablanca – 10/12/07
 [Getty Images] Sacrificial animals are expensive, and their quality is poorer than previous years due to poor grazing conditions. |
Moroccans are discussing the possibility that Eid al-Adha may be called off this year due to a poor harvest and the relative lateness of recorded rainfall. King Mohammed VI, as Commander of the Faithful, possesses the ability to suspend the observation of the holiday if there is sufficient cause.
A representative of the High Scientific Council said the king may cancel Eid for reasons such as drought, insufficient livestock to meet demand, or excessive economic hardship. The previous king, Hassan II, called off the animal sacrificing in 1981 and 1996 because of severe drought.
Opinions vary widely on the issue; housewife Zaynab Belhaj told Magharbeia that Eid al-Adha "is an establishment where the intention is, by slaughtering the sacrificial animal, to get closer to God, and it is an occasion which certain poorer families can enjoy after having sold what is costly and precious in order to acquire an Eid sacrifice animal once a year. Therefore, I think that this occasion is a sacred one which families must hold on to at whatever price."
Secretary Thaouria Zaydouh shared her opinion. She said Eid and its rituals are indispensable to her and to her children, "because we have the best times as a family gathered together".
Zahra, a civil servant, said the occasion "constitutes a financial burden, given the increase in cost of animals for sacrifice, which can sometimes go as high as 3,000 dirhams. These costs weigh heavily on families, particularly those that are poor and can only get by through borrowing in order to buy a sacrifice." She added: "I am sure that this year will see another rise in the price of sheep, and speculators will have a great opportunity to squeeze the citizens."
Young newlywed Ibrahim told Magharebia: "It doesn't matter whether Eid is called off or not. I'm going with my wife to Agadir for a few days, and we’ll think about sacrificial animals next year, God willing."
Credit companies are mindful of the potential cancellation of the holiday and have avoided their usual publicity campaigns concerning special loans for the occasion.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced that the supply of Eid animals this year is enough to meet demand, with almost 4.9 million heads of livestock.
The ministry statement pointed out, however, that although the supply of sheep and goats will be able to cover the demand, the quality of the animals on offer will be somewhat lower than last year, given the shortage of feed due to a poor growing season marked by drought and price increases.
Regarding prices, the agriculture ministry explained that they will be determined according to supply and demand, and would vary according to quality, breed, age and region.
The ministry said Eid sacrifices would have positive economic and social repercussions, particularly in farming communities. Sales are expected to reach 7 billion dirhams, a large share of which would go to rural areas, contributing to the income of breadwinners and stimulating the local economies.
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marroqui Posted 2007-12-11
Stick to your Eids, it's a celebration which many of the enemies of your religion envy you for.
Mouna Rafik Posted 2007-12-11
My point of view on the Festival of Eid is that it has become a real catastrophe for everyone. So long as they are humane, even those people who have money to buy a lamb are going to be upset by their neighbours or someone else in their family not having the means to celebrate. This holiday has become truly pitiful. Think about the penniless and stop hurting them in the face all the agricultural and economic problems the country is now undergoing.
alias03 Posted 2007-12-11
Hello, At this time I have a strong desire to explain my point of view on the sacrifice of lambs. That said, I must admit to you that I haven’t spent much time watching the local television, but I know there are a whole lot more lambs and goats than there is demand. Moreover, they are no more than a dirham or two more per kilogram than last year. Thus, like all citizens, I made the decision to buy lamb that, of course, fit my budget. So, what is all this that has come up about the cancellation lately? What am I supposed to say to my son in law who, God willing, is coming from the USA to celebrate this holiday with us? I would also like to add that in this case the ranchers will be the first to be wrong!!!
Mohcine Posted 2007-12-11
there is no way they will cancel it off
marocain Posted 2007-12-11
60 per cent of Moroccans bought lambs one month in advance so that it would not be expensive.
edbobo Posted 2007-12-11
i wish it could be banished for once and for all it is a premitive and sauvage way of celebration .besides it is costly celebration for the majority.
Noures Posted 2007-12-11
In front of everyone I must respectfully thank you, the people who spread knowledge and information, clarifying the former and orienting the latter. I am Muslim, of Arab nationality and a resident of Algeria. I love Morocco. I adore it with all of its history, traditions, architecture, culture and the warmth of its residents, who are my brothers and sisters. But all of this is in spite of what I have come to learn by navigating the web: I had never thought that the idea of canceling the celebration of the most important religious ceremony would be thinkable. What is the name and rank of the person who gets to decide this? There must be someone who decides this ahead of time, not to mention someone came up with this idea. If there is poverty, then it is most definitely not because of this day. Thank you and happy holidays, everyone.
lol Posted 2007-12-12
Where does this news come from?? What are you smoking at Magharebia, sheep's wool? lol
mohamed yassine Posted 2007-12-12
Mr. Rafik, if someone near you does not have the means, then you invite them over and share your lamb with them. That is Islam. For anyone who would go into debt buying a lamb, they need to have the courage to tell their wife and children, “No, I won’t be buying a lamb this year; Allah understands my situation.” Little by little, this will cease to be an obligation, whether you have the means or not. And, that too is Islam. Sidna Mohamed sacrificed two lambs, one for himself and his family and the other for those who do not have the means in his Umma.
shaker Posted 2007-12-12
salam first of all,i disagree about canceling the AID it's a part of our religion we can't give up it's ashame for muslims and if we aren't going to slaughter this year we will do the same thing next year.so,we have to stick to our religion and be always proud of what we're doing and i think it's not a problem of having a big lamb as our prophet(PBUH) said that "we have to buy the biggest one....."i hope that every muslim all over the world share with his/her family this celebration in order not to lose our traditions and it is a duty in deed.
amal Posted 2007-12-13
I'm Moroccan, I offer my support to our Algerian brothers, salam alaikoum.
Hassan Abbas from Pakistan Posted 2007-12-13
What a gr8 leader King Mohammed VI is. I salute to him for such a brave action. Hats off to you SIR.
gol Posted 2007-12-14
Why don’t these Moroccans who do not have the means to by a lamb buy one as a group and divide it up into equal parts based on a drawing lots? Lamb is just livestock.
nezha Posted 2007-12-16
I don't think this cancellation accomplishes anything. It's a religious celebration and we must buy a sheep, no matter what our means are. I think everyone should buy a sheep according to his or her income.
safae Posted 2007-12-18
This is what I call inconclusive information. Blah blah blah! What is certain is that Eid will be Thursday and that is all.
Khushnooda Zaman Posted 2007-12-19
I would like to know when Morroccons are clebrating Eid ul Adha. Some mosques here in the UK follow Morrocco as it s the closest Muslim country but there is confusion as to whether it is Thursday or Friday. Can someone plz clear this up for us. Jazakullah khair.
BEN Posted 2007-12-22
Eid al-Adha was held. Your author needs to re-examine his sources. Our customs and traditions have the force of law even if they are not economical. But, what do you want!? The credit is responsible for this so that a good number of Moroccans have returned to modest living. The state was the example to these entrepreneurs, giving them the wonderful present of interest. For the grand dignitaries, “we offer it for free” at 5.6 per cent or more down. The business need to protect their image because of them; it brings them business. Okay, everyone tries to untangle themselves as best they can, even the women are getting anxious and have started to grumbling about their own work, not to mention the additional work that this put on them. (The good ones have all apparently left on sick leave.) Indeed! It is the opposite side of the coin. And, in the days to come our tummies is going to feel the assault of the many bohemian bourgeoisie because we do not know how to be reasonable. Happy holidays everyone!
farah Posted 2007-12-25
what do you do in aid al adha in morocoo
riaa Posted 2008-02-23
If this is a declaration of the king of Morocco, it is considered an abuse of the king against Islam.
اسد طنجة Posted 2008-11-09
Do you know that 50,000 citizens in Tangier aren’t working because of floods which destroyed many companies? A message to those who think only of their stomachs and to ignorant women who sacrifice everything so that people see it, may God curse your action. This is just showing off and hypocrisy. May God not accept your sacrifice of Eid Al Adha sons of Abu Jahl. May God curse poverty.
mossamil Posted 2008-12-14
I am happy with the Eid by God the Almighty. But since I don’t have resources, I didn’t celebrate the Eid. I committed suicide. Now I am dead.
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