Inside Africa: Eid al-Adha and COVID-19
KHALED DESOUKI
Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, has come and gone. It was a time for Muslims world-wide to pray, visit family and friends, and the sacrifice of animals like sheep, goat, camel, or cow. The meat from these sacrifices is shared equally between the family, their friends, and the poor. It is an important holiday for Muslims everywhere, a third of which live in Africa. Countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Comoros, Sundan, and Senegal are mostly made up of Muslims who celebrate this special holiday. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted how the holiday is celebrated and has had harsh economic impacts on many in different sectors of the economy.
Morocco, where 99% of the population is Muslim, felt the effects of COVID-19 during the much anticipated Islamic holiday. It is a time of playing “spot the sheep” driving around the country, seeing how many sheep can fit in a vehicle on their way from market to be butchered. Markets would also be filled with people getting ready to bring treats for their loved ones. However, travel restrictions put in place by the government following spikes in cases in several regions all across Morocco. Anxieties over travel - if it is even allowed - and markets dampened the usually merry time. Typically, farmers would be facing a high demand for their livestock, but with bigger cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tanger dealing with travel restrictions and people being nervous to go out because of the pandemic, those same farmers did not experience the same kind of sales that they did in previous years.
Eid al-Adha came at a time when Morocco was experiencing its worst upsurge in cases since the novel coronavirus began to tear through economies and healthcare systems all over the world. The “bad week,” as it was described by Mouad Mrabet, coordinator at the National Center for Public Health Emergency Operations in Morocco, included not only high numbers, but also reduced profit for farmers looking to make up those losses which came from the drought the country is experiencing. Africa News reports that those who live in the rural areas will feel the continued financial impact more than those who live in the big cities even though the rural populations have not seen the same COVID-19 transmission rate.
On top of COVID-19, rural populations face one of the worst droughts in recent years. Lack of rainfall hurts the farmers and their ability to survive, and by limiting their access to bigger markets to see their produce and livestock during the pandemic. The Moroccan government is looking to address this water insecurity by investing approximately $12 billion into water projects, helping alleviate some of the stress this population is facing already.
Morocco has taken drastic steps to try to contain the virus since the beginning. Back in mid-March, when the North African country still had less than 100 cases. Public events were suspended and movement within cities was restricted. The situation seemed to be stabilizing, and in June, restrictions were starting to be eased up. In July, the government was looking to extend a helping hand to those in the tourism industry, allowing hotels to reopen to 100% capacity to encourage domestic tourism just in time for Eid al-Adha. In February this year, just weeks before the pandemic began to wreck havoc, Morocco World News reported that nearly 13 million tourists had visited the country in 2019, up more than 5% from 2018, which was cause to celebrate.
It was a record year for "national tourism,” and even with the goal to continue to grow, hotels and other businesses within the industry were seeing increased revenues. This growth was attributed to better investment in air transportation and infrastructure, though the government’s swift action to lock down and control the spread of COVID-19 has halted the forward momentum of the tourism industry. Just months after the optimistic article on the industry’s growth, Morocco World News reported that, due to COVID-19, the tourism industry can expect to lose 10.5 million tourists and nearly 20 million overnight stays, a big set back for the up-and-coming industry. There was some hope promote more local tourism through relaxed restrictions.
The more relaxed approach to assist the economy did not last long. About a month later, the surge in cases led the government to halt movement in Tangier, Tetouan, Fez, Meknes, Casablanca, Berrechid, Settat, and Marrakesh. These were parts of the country most heavily affected by the coronavirus. The decision went into effect only five hours after the announcement was made, resulting in major traffic jams and accidents as tourists tried to get out of the cities before getting stranded there. This meant a loss in income for many of these hotels where tourists canceled their reservations. Despite Eid al-Adha being a time for in-country travel, hotels and other businesses within the tourism sector are struggling due to the pandemic.
Zouhir Bouhout, the director of the Local Tourism Office in Ouarzazate, said that the outlook for the Moroccan economy does not look good, suggesting that 2020 could be a “year of recession,” citing a recent High Commission for Planning survey. More than half of all business activity was shut down or restricted in April. Besides the tourism industry, other aspects of Morocco’s economy are feeling the effects of COVID-19. More than 75% of the textile and leather companies have been impacted as well as more than 70% of metal and mechanical companies and 60% of construction companies. The unemployment rates that will come during the pandemic will be an obstacle for some time even after the pandemic as people struggle to get back on their feet.
Eid al-Adha added to the tension for many Moroccans. Trying to still make a living and meet the demands for the holiday, farmers brought their sheep, goats and other livestock in a Moroccan “rehba,” a livestock market in the Hay Hassani district in Casablanca on July 30. The Morocco World News reported that 20 were arrested following several acts of violence and theft in the market. Videos were circulated of the fighting between sellers and other citizens, many not wearing facemasks despite health orders. The result was closing several markets in the area, even if it meant further exasperating issues with the rural farmers looking to make a living. As farmers struggle during the drought and deal with the restrictions put in place in an attempt to contain the pandemic, they will continue to see a loss in revenue.
