King Mohammed VI to perform Eid Al-Adha prayer at Hassan II Mosque in Tétouan
The Eid prayer will be broadcast live on national radio and television starting at 11:00 a.m., reads the same statement.
This year, Moroccans will not perform the traditional Eid al-Adha sacrifice. Earlier in 2025, King Mohammed VI called on citizens to forgo the ritual due to ongoing economic and climate-related challenges, which have led to a significant decline in livestock numbers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
18 minutes ago
- Ya Biladi
The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad condemns recent racist attacks in Spain
The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad has sharply condemned what it describes as the «unworthy actions of Spain», denouncing a «disastrous» surge in racist incidents that «have no place in a democratic society». In a statement issued Tuesday, August 12, the foundation expressed its «deepest concern» over the growing normalization of such acts and reaffirmed its commitment to «protect and defend the rights and interests» of Moroccans abroad. In recent weeks, Spain has seen an increasingly tense identity debate, fueled by local measures and far-right rhetoric hostile to migration. The foundation noted that, «in less than a month, the Moroccan community in Spain has been subjected to serious incidents: the burning of a mosque in Piera, a 'hunt for Moors' in Torre Pacheco, hate speech on social media, the suspension of the Arabic language and cultural heritage program by the autonomous community of Madrid and other municipalities, and restrictions on Muslim worship in Jumilla». It recalled that as early as 2010, during an academic meeting in Seville, it had warned about «the rise of xenophobic and Islamophobic discourse on social networks». At that time, this rhetoric was considered an import from abroad, but «it is now, unfortunately, homegrown and reflects a growing hostility toward Moroccans and foreigners», the statement said. Still, the foundation acknowledged «the genuine commitment of the Spanish people to the values of freedom, equality, dignity, respect, and coexistence», and praised «the quality of the welcome Spain offers to foreigners». It paid tribute to the authorities, political parties, civil society organizations, and media outlets that have reacted firmly and with dignity to these incidents. In closing, the foundation commended «the courage, maturity, and civility» of Moroccans who have been targeted, offering them «full solidarity» along with continued «support and assistance in defending their rights and interests».
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
Spain's government challenges Jumilla's ban on Muslim celebrations over constitutional rights
The Spanish government in Madrid has issued an ultimatum to the city council of Jumilla (Murcia province) to repeal a recently approved measure backed by local People's Party officials. Proposed by the far-right Vox party, the motion bans the use of municipal facilities for Muslim religious celebrations, specifically Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice. If the ban is not revoked within a month, the government will take the matter to administrative court, Iberian media reported Monday, citing the socialist government of Pedro Sanchez. The government has condemned the measure as «racist», arguing that it «arbitrarily restricts» annual festivities and violates the constitutional right to religious freedom, including that of the Muslim community. Last week, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration Elma Saiz stressed that her government would ensure «maximum respect for the Constitution». The Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with Parliament issued a similar statement and coordinated the revocation request with the Department of Territorial Policy. Minister Félix Bolaños also denounced the measure, calling it evidence of the «extremist drift» of the PP-Vox alliance. «We will put an end to their extreme measures, as we did against obstacles to abortion in Castilla-La Mancha or censorship in Murcia», he said. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) echoed this stance through its spokesperson, Montse Mínguez, who on Saturday accused the People's Party of aligning itself with the ideology of the far right. She warned that this alliance «institutionalizes racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia». Ban in Jumilla Targets Muslim Community While the PP continues to back the motion, the government has vowed to overturn it. Jumilla, a town of nearly 27,000 residents, is home to an estimated 1,500 Muslims. The city council defends its decision as a measure to protect «traditional religious values and practices». According to the government, however, the discriminatory intent is clear, both in the original text and in statements by the Vox spokesperson, who openly boasted about banning Muslim festivities. For Madrid, this is «yet another violation of fundamental rights and freedoms» by local and regional right-wing and far-right administrations, one in which the central government «must intervene to uphold the Constitution». The executive also argues that the justification for the ban is baseless, noting that the law allows municipal sports facilities to be used for «sociocultural activities». The government reaffirmed its «uncompromising commitment» to combating intolerance and defending «the Constitution, democratic values, and peaceful coexistence». It pledged to «politically and legally challenge any initiative aimed at undermining rights and freedoms and dragging Spain toward an authoritarian path, as seen in other countries governed by the far right». Criticism from the Catholic Church and Civil Society Beyond politics, the measure has drawn criticism from the Spanish Episcopal Conference, which cited the constitutional principle of freedom of worship, a position that Vox has rejected. In a province with a significant Moroccan community, civil society groups have also spoken out against the motion. Sabah Yacoubi, president of the Association of Moroccan Immigrant Workers (ATIM) in the region and national vice-president of the organization, told Yabiladi last week that the decision reflects a longstanding contradiction fueled by xenophobic and Islamophobic sentiment. She warned that the PP and Vox's rhetoric about «activities foreign to the people's identity» is «false and dangerous», especially given Spain's historical legacy under Muslim rule during the caliphate.
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Panama affirms Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara
A month and a half after his official visit to Rabat, Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vásquez has taken a firm stance by reaffirming his country's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. In a televised statement marking the 26th anniversary of King Mohammed VI's enthronement, the minister highlighted Panama's continued support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara provinces, calling it «the only credible, realistic, and applicable option» recognized by the international community for resolving the dispute. This reaffirmation follows his visit to Morocco on June 16, during which he had already voiced strong support for the autonomy initiative. At the time, he described Morocco's plan as «the most serious, credible, and realistic basis» for a lasting solution, even calling it a «unique foundation» for peace. His position reflects a gradual but clear shift in Panama's foreign policy over the past year regarding the Sahara issue. In January 2024, a Joint Declaration was signed during a virtual meeting between Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and then-Panamanian Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. The declaration marked a turning point in Panama's diplomatic approach. Panama Affirms Autonomy Plan as the Sole Basis for a Solution Panama had already declared its support for Morocco's Autonomy Initiative as «the sole basis for a just and lasting solution» to the regional conflict. In line with this, the Panamanian government pledged to guide its future diplomatic actions based on this position. In November 2024, Panama formally suspended its diplomatic relations with the self-proclaimed «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic» (SADR). Following a recent videoconference with Morocco's foreign minister, Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vásquez reiterated Panama's sovereign decision to cut ties with the Polisario Front. His June 16 visit to Rabat further solidified this position, culminating in the signing of a new joint declaration, in which he once again expressed his country's firm backing of Morocco's autonomy plan. Aligned with the proposal Morocco has promoted since 2007, the Panamanian foreign minister also emphasized «the urgency of reaching a definitive and viable solution to the conflict», especially in his capacity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025–2026. Currently, more than 70% of UN Security Council member states support Morocco's autonomy plan. Speaking from Rabat, Martínez-Acha Vásquez reminded audiences that Resolution 2756 endorses the Moroccan initiative. «I am convinced that, going forward, it will remain the only viable basis», he stated. This evolving stance signals a broader shift among Latin American nations, many of which had previously aligned with the Polisario. Last July, Ecuador made a similar move by withdrawing recognition of «SADR» and inaugurating its embassy in Morocco. On that occasion, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld traveled to Rabat to mark the opening.
