Eid al-Adha Sacrificial Slaughter Canceled in Morocco – Will There Be Punishment for Violations?
Rabat, Morocco – 1 March – (www.deccanlive.com): Morocco’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Al-Tawfiq, has officially canceled animal sacrifices for Eid al-Adha this year. Many people have welcomed this decision, especially since it will protect a section of society from the soaring prices of sacrificial animals, which had reached extreme levels last season.
However, some wealthier citizens, who can afford the sacrifice, are raising questions about the legal implications of violating this decision. It is important to note that King Mohammed VI has already announced that he will perform the sacrifice on behalf of the people.
Given this situation, some citizens may resort to private sacrifices, as has happened in the past. During the reign of King Hassan II, the sacrifice was also canceled on multiple occasions due to environmental and economic reasons.
Is Sacrificial Slaughter Legally a Crime in Morocco?
In Casablanca, Morocco, Professor Khalid Al-Dan, a member of the Lawyers’ Association, clarified that for any criminal punishment, there must be a specific legal text to support the decision. One of the fundamental principles of criminal law is that “no crime and no punishment exist without a legal text.”
Speaking to Al Arabiya Net, he explained that criminal laws are interpreted in a limited scope and cannot be expanded beyond their defined meaning. He concluded that the royal decree serves as a guideline for public policy rather than a binding criminal law. It is meant as advice and direction to protect the country from difficulties and reduce hardships rather than impose legal consequences.
Religious Obligation and the Ruling on Sacrificial Slaughter
On the other hand, Lahcen Skandfal, head of the Local Scholarly Council, told Al Arabiya Net that obeying rulers is a religious duty. According to him, King Mohammed VI’s decision has a valid Islamic basis, aimed at reducing hardship and preventing harm.
He explained that reducing hardship refers to the fact that most people cannot afford sacrificial animals due to skyrocketing prices. As for preventing harm, it relates to protecting livestock, which have already suffered due to years of drought and poor management.
He emphasized that it is necessary to follow the decision to avoid further difficulties. It is worth noting that similar royal decrees banned Eid al-Adha sacrifices in 1963, 1981, and 1996 due to economic and environmental crises.
