Eid Al-Adha — عيد الأضحى — is considered the more important of the two major Islamic holidays, often called Al-Eid Al-Kabir (the Great Eid) in Morocco. It falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar, and coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. In Morocco it is a two-day public holiday, and its traditions are deeply embedded in the fabric of family and community life.
What Does Eid Al-Adha Commemorate?
Eid Al-Adha commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who in Islamic tradition was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Ismail as a test of faith. As Ibrahim prepared to carry out the command, God intervened and provided a ram to sacrifice in Ismail's place. The holiday honours Ibrahim's obedience and God's mercy — and the ritual sacrifice of an animal (usually a sheep) re-enacts this act of devotion.
The Sacrifice: How It Works in Morocco
In Morocco, the sacrifice of a sheep — called Al-Udhiya — is one of the most anticipated and visible aspects of Eid Al-Adha. In the weeks before the holiday, sheep markets appear across every city and town. Families purchase their animal in advance, and in the days leading up to Eid it is common to see sheep tethered on apartment balconies, in courtyards, and on rooftops across Moroccan cities.
On the morning of Eid, after the communal prayer, the head of each household performs or arranges the sacrifice. The meat is then divided into three portions: one third for the family, one third to be given to relatives and neighbours, and one third donated to those in need. This distribution is an expression of the holiday's central values — generosity, community, and equality.
Eid Al-Adha in Moroccan Daily Life
Beyond the sacrifice, Eid Al-Adha in Morocco is a time for family reunions, new clothes, and visits. Like Eid Al-Fitr, children receive gifts and money. Families gather for large shared meals over two days. The atmosphere is different from Eid Al-Fitr — slightly more solemn, more spiritually weighted — but no less warm.
Transport across Morocco surges in the days before Eid as people travel from cities to their hometowns. It is one of the busiest travel periods of the year — comparable to major holiday travel seasons in Western countries. Trains, buses, and highways are packed as Moroccans prioritise being with family for this important occasion.
- Falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijja — the last month of the Islamic calendar.
- A two-day public holiday in Morocco.
- Known as Al-Eid Al-Kabir (the Great Eid) in Morocco.
- Commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son.
- Date shifts approximately 10–11 days earlier each Gregorian year.
- The sacrifice meat is divided equally between family, neighbours, and the poor.