Royal Message on the Abstention from the Eid Al-Adha Sacrifice

His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Amir Al-Mouminine, may God assist him, addressed a solemn message to his faithful people regarding the decision not to perform the Eid Al-Adha sacrifice this year. The message was delivered by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Toufiq, on Wednesday evening during the main news bulletin on the “Al Oula” television channel.

Full Text of the Royal Message:

« Praise be to God alone, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of God, his family, and his companions.

My beloved people,

Since assuming the supreme responsibility of the Imamate, bound by the sacred pledge of allegiance, we have always been committed to providing our faithful people with the necessary means to fulfill their religious obligations, both in terms of mandatory duties and recommended practices, acts of worship, and social interactions. Among these traditions is the celebration of Eid Al-Adha, which will take place in less than four months. This occasion is not merely a passing event but carries profound religious significance, symbolizing our people’s deep attachment to Islamic values and their commitment to strengthening family and social bonds through this blessed celebration.

Our concern for enabling you to fulfill this religious duty under the best conditions is accompanied by our responsibility to consider the challenges currently facing our country, particularly economic and climatic difficulties, which have led to a significant decrease in livestock numbers. Given this situation, and considering that the Eid sacrifice is a recommended but non-obligatory Sunnah that depends on one’s financial ability, performing it under such difficult circumstances would impose a substantial burden on many, particularly those with limited income.

In accordance with our duty as Amir Al-Mouminine and the guardian of religious practices, and in light of the necessity of removing hardship and ensuring ease in religious observances, as stated in the Quran: “And He has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:78), we call upon our beloved people to refrain from performing the Eid sacrifice this year.

To uphold the spirit of this blessed occasion, we will, by God’s will, offer the sacrifice on behalf of our people, following the tradition of our ancestor, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who sacrificed two sheep and said: “This one is for myself, and this one is on behalf of my Ummah (community).”

My dear people,

We encourage you to celebrate Eid Al-Adha in its usual spiritual essence by observing its traditional rituals: performing the Eid prayer in mosques and designated prayer areas, engaging in acts of charity, strengthening family ties, and expressing gratitude to God for His countless blessings while seeking His rewards and mercy.

« Say: This is my way; I invite to Allah with sure knowledge, I and those who follow me. » (Surah Yusuf, 12:108).

May peace, God’s mercy, and His blessings be upon you. »