Qurban is Forbidden: How Moroccan Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Adha

This year, Morocco has responded to a brutal seven‑year drought and a dramatic 38% decline in livestock by ordering Moroccans to refrain from the qurban (animal sacrifice) tradition during Eid al‑Adha—a decision reflecting economic strain, environmental responsibility, and spiritual resilience halaltimes.comreuters.comatalayar.comhalaltimes.comnewarab.com.

Despite centuries of ritual slaughter at this festival, Moroccans are now embracing alternative expressions of faith, charity, and community—to preserve the meaning of Eid without livestock.

1. The Royal Decree: A Historic Call

On February 26, 2025, King Mohammed VI, in his role as Amir al-Mu’minin (Commander of the Faithful), urged citizens to abstain from qurban this Eid, citing a severe climate crisis:

The plea was solemn and serious—“Performing this rite under these difficult conditions would harm large segments of our people,” he stressed, stepping in as the symbolic ‘sacrifice on behalf of all Moroccans’ halaltimes.comtheguardian.comatalayar.comhalaltimes.com.

Morocco has seen similar qurban suspensions only three times before: during conflict in 1963, drought in 1981, and economic crisis in 1996 halaltimes.comatalayar.comthetimes.co.uk.

2. Why Qurban Was Suspended

The decision was driven by overlapping crises:

Authorities closed public and weekly livestock markets and shuttered municipal slaughterhouses, with security used to prevent clandestine sacrifices patrika.comhalaltimes.comatalayar.comhalaltimes.com.

3. Alternative Celebrations: Holding Onto Faith and Tradition

A) Spiritual Reflection & Eid Prayers

Moroccans will still perform Salat al-Eid, reciting takbeers (“Allahu Akbar”) at mosques and open spaces, maintaining rites of prayer, sermon, and communal celebration en.wikipedia.orghalaltimes.com.

B) Charitable Giving Over Sacrifice

Emphasis has shifted toward tzedakah (charity). Families are encouraged to donate directly to:

C) Feasts Without Livestock

Without ritual sacrifice, many households will still host festive meals using:

Poultry has spiked in price by ~5 DH/kg as demand shifted newarab.com.

D) Boujloud: Masks and Skins Ritual

Despite fewer actual slaughters, the Berber tradition of Boujloud (Bilmawen) continues. Celebrants wear goat/sheep pelts and masks, parading streets to laughter and blessings en.wikipedia.orgbewilderedinmorocco.commoroccoworldnews.comaljazeera.com.

4. Public and Official Reaction

Mixed Sentiment

Government Measures

5. Broader Reflections: Religion, Climate, and Modernity

This episode speaks to deeper shifts:

  • Environmental ethics within Islamic frameworks—highlighting stewardship (khilafah) over luxury sacrifice

  • Evolution of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), validating qurban as a sunna, not obligatory (wajib) in hardship en.wikipedia.orghalaltimes.com

  • The monarchy’s role: King performing qurban affirms religious legitimacy and solidarity

  • Folk traditions like Boujloud underscore how cultural expression continues even when ritual forms adapt en.wikipedia.orgbewilderedinmorocco.com

6. What to Expect on Eid Day

Despite the ban on slaughter:

  • Streets will flow with family visits, traditional greetings of “Eid Mubarak!”, shared meals, and children in new clothes

  • Mosques and public squares will host communal takbeer and sermons

  • Charity initiatives, especially adapted for drought relief, will be central

  • Regional Boujloud parades will likely enliven communities across southern and central Morocco

7. Looking Ahead

  • The drought remains unresolved—making this year’s Eid a watershed event

  • Livestock prices and imports will be watched closely for market stability thetimes.co.ukatalayar.comhalaltimes.com

  • Environmental adaptation and sustainable festival practices may emerge as new norms in Moroccan social life

Conclusion

In 2025, Morocco marks Eid al‑Adha without its central sacrificial rite—a bold stance rooted in climate awareness, social equity, and religious flexibility. Though qurban is forbidden, the spirit of Eid—faith, family, generosity, and community—remains intact.

Moroccan Muslims honor this sacred holiday with prayers, compassion-based charity, festive meals, and cultural pageantry like Boujloud, weaving resilience and cultural continuity into their observance.

This Eid exemplifies how Morocco can adapt tradition without abandoning heart, reminding the faithful that sacrifice can also mean empathy and shared care.

Qurban is Forbidden: How Moroccan Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Adha
admin Miscellaneous No Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *