Drought-hit Morocco asks citizens not to slaughter sheep on Eid al-Adha | CNN

CNN - Feb 27th, 2025

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has called for a halt to the traditional Eid al-Adha sheep slaughter this year, citing a significant drop in the country's livestock herds due to prolonged drought. The Eid al-Adha festival, which is scheduled for June, traditionally involves the ritual slaughtering of sheep or goats, with the meat shared among family and the needy. This decision comes as Morocco's sheep and cattle numbers have plummeted by 38% since the last census, impacted by consecutive years of insufficient rainfall and resulting pasture shortages. The King emphasized the need to prioritize the country's climatic and economic challenges, which have led to higher meat prices and increased imports.

The move highlights the severe impact of climate change on Morocco's agriculture and economy. With rainfall 53% below the average of the past three decades, the country has faced a severe lack of pasture, driving up local meat prices and necessitating imports to stabilize the market. This situation has prompted Morocco to sign a deal for importing up to 100,000 sheep from Australia and to suspend import duties and VAT on livestock and red meat in the 2025 budget to mitigate the economic strain. The King's directive underscores the broader implications of climate-related challenges on religious practices and economic stability in Morocco.

Climate Change Economic Impact Morocco King Mohammed Vi Eid Al Adha Drought Livestock

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a timely and accurate account of King Mohammed VI's request for Moroccans to abstain from slaughtering sheep during Eid al-Adha due to drought and livestock shortages. It effectively conveys the government's perspective and highlights the significant economic and environmental challenges facing Morocco. However, the article would benefit from greater balance and transparency by including diverse viewpoints and more detailed sourcing. While the story is clearly written and of public interest, its potential impact and engagement are somewhat limited by the lack of in-depth analysis and exploration of alternative perspectives. Overall, the article serves as a solid introduction to the topic but could be strengthened by incorporating additional context and voices.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports King Mohammed VI of Morocco's request for citizens to abstain from slaughtering sheep during Eid al-Adha due to drought and livestock shortages. The article includes verifiable data such as the 38% decrease in livestock and the 53% reduction in rainfall, which aligns with official figures and expert assessments. However, the claim about the 2025 budget and the specific import deal with Australia requires further verification, as the details are not fully corroborated by external sources. Overall, the story presents truthful information, though some aspects could benefit from additional sourcing or clarification.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of the Moroccan government and King Mohammed VI, focusing on the economic and environmental rationale for the request. While it effectively conveys the government's position, it lacks input from other stakeholders, such as Moroccan citizens, religious leaders, or economic analysts, who could provide alternative viewpoints or reactions to the decision. This omission results in a somewhat one-sided narrative that could be perceived as favoring the government's stance without exploring potential dissent or broader societal impacts.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the main points. It effectively explains the significance of Eid al-Adha and the reasons behind the King's request, using straightforward language that is accessible to a general audience. The tone is neutral, and the information is presented in a coherent manner, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. However, the inclusion of more context or background information could improve comprehension for those unfamiliar with the topic.

Source quality

The story relies on statements attributed to King Mohammed VI and official government data, which are credible sources for the information presented. However, the article does not cite independent experts or third-party sources that could corroborate the claims about livestock decline, economic impact, or international trade agreements. The reliance on government sources without additional verification from independent entities slightly undermines the overall source quality and reliability.

Transparency

The article provides limited transparency regarding the basis of its claims, particularly concerning the livestock census data and economic measures. While it mentions official figures and government statements, it does not disclose the methodology used to gather this data or the potential biases in government reporting. Additionally, there is no discussion of any conflicts of interest or the broader context of Morocco's environmental and economic challenges, which would enhance the reader's understanding of the story's foundation.