Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, the country’s “commander of the faithful,” called on citizens to forgo the traditional sheep sacrifice during Eid al-Adha in early June. The reason: a severe drought that has reduced livestock numbers and driven up prices.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco asked Moroccans on Wednesday to abstain from performing the rite of slaughtering sheep on Eid al-Adha this year due to a drop in the country’s herd following years of drought.

With Morocco’s sheep herds dwindling at an alarming rate, King Mohammed VI made a rare break with tradition by urging families to forgo buying sheep to sacrifice during the upcoming Eid Al-Adha.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has called on citizens to forgo the traditional sheep sacrifice during Eid Al-Adha due to economic hardship and dwindling livestock caused by drought. The announcement highlights the financial strain on families amidst skyrocketing prices and ongoing inflationary pressures in the region.

King Mohammed VI is asking Moroccans not to slaughter sheep during the Feast of Sacrifice in early June. The Moroccan king is doing so because the livestock population has already shrunk considerably due to the severe drought Morocco is facing.