If you travel to Morocco, you might get confused hearing the name of Eid celebration a few times a year. Therefore, in this post, I will explain the difference between these 2 most important Islamic festivals. As well, I will provide you with some guidance if you visit Morocco during one of the Eid celebrations.
Let’s start the clarification with the meaning of ‘Eid’ that in Arabic translates as ‘Festival’ or ‘Celebration’. In Islam, there are two Eid festivals: Eid al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha. Both the most important, but at different times and different traditions. So, if you want to ask “When is the Eid in Morocco?”, always specify which one.
In 2020, Morocco will Celebrate Eid Al Adha on Friday, July 31.
Eid al-Fitr (also called “Festival of Breaking the Fast”) celebration starts at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. During the Eid al-Fitr, Muslims participates in communal prayers, listen to a khutba (special prayer) and give zakat al-fitr charity.
Eid al-Adha (literally means “festival of the sacrifice”) is celebrated around two months later of Ramadan; the same time Muslims finish performing the Hajj pilgrimage. The celebration honours Abraham, whom God commanded to sacrifice his son, Isaac. At the last moment, God stopped Abraham and gave him a sheep to kill in place of his son.
Eid al-Fitr
The Eid al-Fitr (also called “Festival of Breaking the Fast”) starts at the end of the holy month Ramadan. Its date is announced by the young moon appearing in the sky. During the Eid al-Fitr Muslims participates in communal prayers, reunite with friends and families, involving gift-giving, and zakat al-fitr charity. Of course, food has an important role in the Eid al-Fitr celebration.
In Morocco, this celebration begins early in the morning, just before sunrise, after Muslim men gather for common prayer. At the same time, women prepare a special breakfast of Eid al-Fitr, which usually consists of Moroccan pancakes. After the pray, families gather together for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s common to buy new clothes and small gifts for children.
Up to 48 hours before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, Muslims must pay Zakat Al Fitr, a charity taken for the poor. The minimum amount of Zakat Al Fitr, fixed by the government, last year it was 13 DH per person.
You can read more about Ramadan in Morocco traditions and Eid al-Fitr in my article Ramadan in Morocco: all you need to know for your travels.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha means “Feast of the Sacrifice”. It’s also called Eid el-Kbir, meaning “The Big Holiday” and is regarded as the holier of the two Eids. The celebration of Eid al-Adha begins around 40 days after the end of Ramadan. Eid also marks the end of the annual pilgrimage of the Hajj.
The roots of Eid al-Adha celebration comes from an Abraham story often heard in Christianity and Judaism. Interesting fact that Abraham is a major prophet in all three religions.
According to the all known story, God ordained to Abraham sacrifice his son, Ismail. Although there is a dispute over the identity of the son, some Muslim scholars say it was his another son, Ishmael. At the last moment, God told Abraham not to kill his son but to sacrifice a ram instead. Therefore, at Eid al–Fitr celebration, Muslims all over the world honours Abraham’s willingness to obey God’s order to sacrifice his son.
Eid al-Adha is a day of sharing, caring and being thankful. Each family that bough a sheep must divide it into three shares. One-third of the animal goes for the poor. Other part family eats immediately or saves for later, and the last one-third belongs for friends.
On the first of the four days of Eid al-Adha, after the Eid prayer, the head of the family has to slaughter the animal with a sharp knife. These days more often butcher comes to do this job. Then, during the following days of Eid al-Adha, families prepare the variety of meat dishes.
Families use every square inch of the sheep. Usually, the organs like the heart, lungs, stomach etc are prepared first. In the afternoon, and next day, sheep heads are burned outside, in the streets.
SHEEP EVERYWHERE
Around a week before the Eid al-Adha, sheep sellers occupy selling squares, parking of supermarkets. If they can afford it, each family has to buy and sacrifice an animal. According to the 2018 statistics, during the Eid al-Adha, Moroccan sacrificed around 4 million rams. You will see in the streets sheep on all kind oh vehicles: from a tuk-tuk to cars and even scooters.
The best animals are sold fast and often kept in family homes, outdoor patio or even apartment balconies. Some families even compete to buy a bigger sheep. Not only the sheep has to be at least 1 year old but also can cost from 1`50 euro. For many Moroccan is half of their monthly incomes. If you have a business in Morocco, get ready to reward your employees with gifts on Eid al-Adha.
Traveling during Eid al-Adha in morocco
If you travel in Morocco during Eid al-Adha, almost all places will be closed for the first days of celebration. As well, the Eid al-Adha can be a real test for the faint-hearted travellers and especially vegetarians.
I remember, during one of Eid al-Adha, I stayed in an area away from the Marrakech centre. Neighbours kept their sheep on balconies even a week before the celebration. Throughout the nights, the air filled with roars of the animals anticipating their fate. My other biggest memory was from the next day of slaughters when I saw many locals grilling the head of the sheep in the streets; the city is full of burning smell.
If you travel in Morocco during Eid al-Adha, try not to book any touristy activities, tours or drivers on these four, and especially on the first sacrifice day. Of course, many drivers and guides will agree on working with you on that day, but all the restaurants, cafes, museums etc will be closed.
Also, if you know some local Moroccans, try to be invited to their home, for the special sacrifice day of Eid al-Adha celebration. It’s such an authentic, raw experience worth hundreds of time more than any sight sighing activity.
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