Happy Independence Day Morocco

Today is Eid Al Istiqlal, the commemoration of Morocco’s Independence Day.  It also celebrates the return of the royal family from exile in 1955

Morocco freed itself from the French colonial rule on March 2, 1956, while independence was granted from Spain a month later on April 7, 1956. Although Morocco gained its independence on March 2, the North African country commemorates the anniversary of independence on November 18 instead, at the request of late King Hassan II.

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Eid-el-Kebir 2018 in Morocco

After observing the crescent moon on the evening of August 12, the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs indicates that Eid-el-Kebir (Aid Al Adha) will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 22

In a statement, the ministry said that the lunar crescent announcing the month of Dou Al Hijja of the year 1439 AH was observed on August 12 and therefore Eid-el-Kebir will be celebrated on 10 Dou Al Hijja 1439, August 22, 2018.

The calendar is this year to follow a weekend (18 and 19 August), the Anniversary of the revolution of the king and the people (August 20), the Youth Day (August 21) and therefore the Aid (22 august), heralding a long weekend in the summer.

The feast of Eid-el-Kebir is "the Feast of Sacrifice", and is one of the most important celebrations related to the Muslim faith. It is a commemoration of Abraham's submission (Ibrahim in Arabic) to the will of God when he asked him to sacrifice his son Ishmael.

While Abraham was about to slit the throat of the child, Jibarel (the angel Gabriel) replaced him with a sheep. Since then, every Muslim family has to sacrifice an animal, traditionally a sheep or a ram, but sometimes a cow or a goat.

The Celebration of Eid-el-Kebir

Eid-el-Kebir is a family celebration. The whole family puts on their best clothes on this occasion. On the day of Eid-el-Kebir, special care is taken in the morning ablutions before the prayer, which is particularly sacred that day.

Then comes the sacrifice of the sheep. The sacrifice is performed according to the rites by the head of the family. Part of the sacrifice will have to be offered (a third) to the needy and is considered a "Sadaka" (or gift).

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Eid El Fitr - May Your Eid Be Blessed

Eid El fitr is the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.   Eid is a single day during which Muslims are not permitted to fast

The View From Fez wishes our readers a blessed Eid

The end of Ramadan is expected to be celebrated after the sighting of the moon on Tuesday night. Eid will be observed on Wednesday.

Morocco relies on special committees across the country to monitor the sighting of the moon, in line with the Prophet’s saying: “Fast when you see the crescent and break the fast when you see it; if it is not apparent, then make the month of Sha’ban thirty days.”

Leading up to Eid El Fitr, Moroccan Souks have been busy with shoppers preparing for the holiday, purchasing sweets and biscuits. In line with tradition many people buy extra to give to less fortunate families. Zakat (or giving) is one of the five pillars of Islam and while some give money others choose to purchase basic necessities and staples, such as wheat or flour as gifts.

The burning of Moroccan incense is an ancient Eid traditions which still plays an important part of the Eid celebrations. In the days before Eid, incense is widely available.

Perhaps the most exciting part of Eid for children is the purchase of "Eid clothing" but it is not restricted to children and adults also purchase new clothes, particularly traditional jellabas, or kaftans.

In the USA, the Postal Service launched a new stamp to commemorate Ramadan. The new 2016 Eid stamp is blue with gold calligraphy in Arabic that features a traditional Eid greeting: May your Eid be blessed.

The launch was held at the Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville, Kentucky, because it was the birthplace of Muhammad Ali, who was Muslim.

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Eid In Fez ~ 2013 ~A Photo Essay

Local men and women praying in the street

Eid al-Adha in Fez is one of the most important festivals of the year. The numbers of people praying at Eid is so great that they spill out of the mosques into public spaces. But after the morning prayers the slaughtering of an animal by the king marks the beginning of two different observances of the day 

The first is in the private homes of Moroccans, where at least one lamb, goat or calf is sacrificed and food prepared for the extended families. The second is on the streets where those unable to afford an animal are given the heads and feet of animals - which are then barbecued, usually on an old bed frame.

The View from Fez was invited to a private home for the celebration. Our thanks to Rachida El Joukh and her family.

Our sheep - moments before the sacrifice

Skinning the sheep is a well practised art

The stomach lining is removed in one piece and used to wrap fresh sheep liver

Sheep liver kebabs, with onion and chilli

The freshest meat on the planet - on a charcoal fire in the kitchen

Meanwhile... out in the streets, the scene is one that some visitors find a little confronting - the sight of sheep heads and feet being barbecued on old bed bases. For a few hours the Medina is enveloped in a haze of smoke

A typical street barbecue 

EID MUBARAK

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Eid Mubarak 2013 - A Photo Essay

Today The View from Fez went on a sheep shopping expedition to souk Binda Bab. The crowd was huge as people hunted for "the right sheep", or as the locals called it "the right mabrouk".  

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

From early morning the souk was extremely crowded

Finding the right sheep is a long process

Then there is the question of how to transport your sheep...

Finally we discovered a healthy young ram

Bargaining went on for nearly an hour

With the help of "Batman" the sheep headed home

Watching sheep being taken home is a spectator sport

The stairs were a slight problem for a fat sheep

Finally inside the house

The View from Fez wishes all our readers a happy and peaceful Eid

Photographs: Sandy McCutcheon

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Finding Fine Food in Fez During Eid

While a majority of restaurants are closed during the Eid holidays, there are some exceptions

Le Fez Café Restaurant sera ouvert le jour de l'Aid 16/10/2013 à partir de 19h30.
The Fez Café Restaurant will be open the day of Aid 16/10/2013 starts at 19h30.
+212 (0) 5 35 63 50 31 or +212 (0) 6 64 64 76 79. contact@jardindesbiehn.com

The Ruined Garden will be closed on Wednesday and at lunch time on Thursday but re-opening at 18.30 on Thursday 17th.
The Ruined Garden sera fermé mercredi et à l'heure du déjeuner jeudi - Nous rouvrirons à 18.30 jeudi 17ème.

Café Clock will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. There is a slight change on the cultural programme, the movie will be played on Friday instead of Thursday and the jam session is held over until the following week.

Riad Rcif will be open for dinner each evening. Please phone for reservation: 212 (0)5 35 740037

Dar Roumana will be open but you will have to book in advance: +212 535 74 16 37 / +212 660 29 04 04 (mobile)

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Happy Eid to our readers

Eid Mubarak Said !  

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