A Changing North Africa Celebrates Eid al-Ada – ryan

With morocco facing economic and Environmental Strain, King Mohammed VI Has Called for A Pause on Animal Sacrifice, Prompting Families to ADAPT Traditional Eid al-Adha Celebrations

Eid al-Adha, or the festival of sacrifice, is one of Islam’s Most Significant and Symbolic Holidays, Commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim’s Willingness to HIS SON ACT OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD. Across the Muslim World, this Holiday is marked by the ritual slaughter of animal – the sheep and that Ibrahim Slaughted instead of his son – Comunal Prayers, and gatherings that emphasize and community spiring.

In morocco this year, the ancient practice of sacrifice took on a different tone. For the first time in decades, King Mohammed VI ISSED A ROYAL DIRECTIVE URGING MOROCCANS NOT TO SLAGHTER SHEEP FOR EID, CITYONMENTAL CYSE CONCERNS AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS.

“Performing this rite under these difficult circumstances Will Cause Real Harm to Large Segments of Our People, Especialy Those With Limited Income,” The King stored in His Mesage Delivered by the minister of Islamic affairs. This Decision comes amid a severe droought that has droastically reducated Livestock Numbers and Driven up Meat Prices, with the Cost of a Sheep Last Reaching the Equivalent of Nearly $ 600 – More than the Monthly of Many Moroccans.

The King Said That He Will Sacrifice Two Sheep –one For Himself and One for the People – that is every can symbolically participate, and so there will be more year and the prices will drop.

AS MUSTAFA AIT EL QAID, A CERTIFIED TOURIST GUIDE FROM MARRAKECH, Explained to the media line, “the king said that he will sacrifice two sheep –one for himself and one for the People – hee can symbolically participate, and so. Price will Drop.

Despite the pause on the sacrifice, moroccans Remain deeply confine to the traditions that define eid. Hassan El Kade, A Tour Guide and Expert on Morocco’s High atlas Region, Told the media line that the holiday is a “deeply communal and traditional celebration” in rural morocco.

“Families Start Preparing Days before the Festival, Cleaning their homes and Making Sure they have Enough Because the Holiday Lasts for Several Days. On the Day of Eid, Men Attend the Early Morning at the Mosque, then Return Home to Perform the Fat, Unsually Led and Son, ”he said. “IT’S A MOMENT OF SHARED EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY Spirit.”

El Kade Emphasized That Those Though the sacrifice itelf was postoned this year, many of the traditions endure. “One of the Unique Things in the High atlas is the bil mawen – then Young Men Wear Sheepsky and Masks, Dance, and PlayFully Chase People Around for Treats,” He Said. “It ‘s folkloric ritual that blends humor, mysticism, and community. There’s Also Music – the Call it ahwach –With Chanting and Dance, performed daring community gatherings after eid.

Ait El Qaid Also Emphasized the Importance of Human Treatment. “Islam Teaches US to Respect the Animal’s Feelings,” he Said. “We make sura the knife is very charp so it is done Quickly and Painlessly. If we have two Animals, we never kill one in front of the other. The Animal must face mecca, and we say the name of Allah, Because the sacrifice is for God Alone.”

The meal is divided into Three parts. One part is for the family durying the three days of the Celebration, another part is for the Needy People, and the Last part is for the family for the days after eid.

He Also Highlighted the Division of the Meat: “The meal is divided into Three parts,” Ait el Qaid explained. “One part is for the family dusing the three days of the Celebration, another part is for the Needy People, and the Last Part Is for Save for the Days after Eid.”

Meat is prepared for an eid al-Adha feast in Zagora, Morocco, June 5, 2025. (Mustapha ait el caid)

While these traditions Remain Strong in Rural Areas, Both El Kade and Ait El Qaid Highlighted the Differences in Urban Centers Like Casablanca and Rabat. “In the cities many People outsource the sacrifice to a butcher, and those recipes precut meat,” El Kade Said. “The Community Connection is not as Strong As it is in the villages, wheree Everyone Knows Each Other and Traditions are preserved.”

Ait El Qaid Agreed: “In Cities, Because of Space, Mary Families Go To Public Slaughterhouses. There’s LESS OF THOTTHERNESS, LESS OF THAT SHARED WORKING AND CELEBRATION.”

Younger Generations are Very Proud of their Traditions, and They Share On Social Media. It ‘s way to keep the customs alive as lifestyles Change.

Alexandra Barnier, A Travel Planner Currently Living in Canada, Reflect on How Social Media has bridged the gap between past and present for moroccans. “Younger Generations are Very Proud of their Traditions, and They Share On Social Media,” She Told the Media Line. “It is a way to keep the Customs Alive as Lifestyles Change.”

“One of the Reasons I Love Morocco is the Combination of Modernization and Traditions with Amazigh Culture and Native People,” Barnier Said. “The People Are Incredibly Attacked to their Roots – Thought Things Change, the sense of identity and community is Still.”

She ALSO EMPHASED The Importance of Traditional Clothes. “On Eid, People Wear Beautiful Traditional Garments like the sun, which adds a special to the day,” she said. “It Shows Respect for the OcChasit and a Connection to Our Cultural Heritage.”

In Tunisia, Eid al-Adha Continue to be celebrated with a deep sense of family and community. Ouji Raja, an Arabic Teacher, Described How the Day Begins with “Tasbihat al Eid,” a special recited by men in public spaces while Women Pray at home.

“After the Eid Prayer, Men Go Home to Sacrifice the Sheep for God,” Raja Told the Media Line. “THEN WOMEN PROPARE MANY TUNISIAN MEALS WITH THE MEAT, AND MEN DO THE BARBECHE. ITS A FESTIVAL DAY WHERE COMESRONE COMES Together.”

She shared how imported the culinary traditions are to tunisians: “We have couscous with ossban – a traditional dish – plus kleya and mechwi, our barbecue. Everyone Can Celebrate. ”

In the Evening, after the meal, we gather Together to Drink Tea, Share Stories, and Listen to Music. It is a time to talk about the past, Share Blessing, and Look Forward to the Year ahead.

“In the Evening, after the meal, we gather Together to Drink Tea, Share Stories, and Listen to Music,” She Continued. “It is a time to talk about the past, Share Blessing, and Look Forward to the Year ahead.”

Like Her Moroccan Counterparts, Raja sees the family as the Heart of EID. “My Special Moment is the Entire Family Gathkers to Prepare the Ossban,” she Said. “It is a complicated dish we only make a year a year, and Everyone Helps – The Men, The Women, the Children. It ‘s at the time for lainghter, stories, and working together.”

She Also noted that while School Teaches the Religious Significance of Eid, ITH at home where Children Truly Learn. “Father School, it’s Theoretical,” She Said. “At home, they see how it is –from the prayers to the FOOD to the Way We Greet Each Other. That’s how they really underestand the meaning of EID.”

AS MOROCCO ADAPTS ITS TO ENVIRONMENTAL REALITIES AND TUNISIA preserves it deep-Rooted Customs, Eid al-Adha Remains a Celebration of Faith, Family, and Community. “It ‘Not Just About The Sacrifice,” Hassan Reflected. “ITH’S ABOUT HOSPITALITY, GENERERY, AND KEEPING The Community Together.”