Public holidays in Morocco

Public holidays in Morocco

The major 'holiday' to keep an eye on is Ramadan. It is a month of fasting during daylight hours. Consequently, many restaurants do not open during daylight hours. In fact, they only tend to open an hour after sundown so as to allow their staff and family to eat first. Alcohol is very difficult to come by during Ramadan. It is wise to not offend the local's sensibilities by eating and drinking in public during daylight hours.

Islamic Holidays

Islamic religious holidays are calculated on the lunar calendar, so their dates rotate throughout the seasons (as does Ramadan's), losing approximately eleven days a year against the Western (Gregorian) calendar. Exact dates in the lunar calendar are almost impossible to predict - they are actually set by the Islamic authorities in Fes depending on when the new moon is sighted (what do they do if it is a cloudy night ?), it is then announced by the king on TV, radio and in the newspapers the preceding day. For instance Eid-Al-Fitr could be 1st, 2nd or 3rd October 2008 ?

Below I have tried to indicate as near as possible the future, approximate dates for the Islamic Holidays, unless you specifically want to visit during one of these periods, they're possibly best avoided, as all banks, post offices and most shops close on the main holidays, as do many restaurants, public transport will sometimes also be affected, and basically the site of Fadesa grinds to a halt !

- 22 August 2009 / 11 August 2010 / 1 August 2011 - Ramadan (start)

Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting, and Moroccans are forbidden by law from "public disrespect" of the fast during daylight hours and a few people are jailed for this each year.

- 20 September 2009 / 10 September 2010 / 30 August 2011 - Eid-Al-Fitr

The end of Ramadan when Muslims celebrate the end of fasting and thank Allah for His help with their month-long act of self-control. Very family orientated holiday.

- 28 November 2009 / 17 November 2010 / 6 November 2011 - Hajj (start) / Eid-Al-Adha

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims should complete at least once in their lifetime. It celebrates the willingness of Ibrahim to obey Allah and sacrifice his son Isaac and culminates in the ritual slaughter of a lamb.

- 18 December 2009 / 7 December 2010 / 26 November 2011 - Al-Hijira / Moharem

Islamic New Year's Day. Marks the migration of the Prophet Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina.

- 7 January & 27 December 2009 / 16 December 2010 - Ashura

Islamic holy day observed on the 10th of the Islamic month of Muharram. Shi'ite. Muslims regard it as a major festival marking the martydom of the Prophet's grandson, Hussein.

- Monday 9 March 2009 / 26 February 2010 / 15 February 2011 - Moulid an Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed)

Shia Muslims celebrate this 5 days later. Some Muslims do not approve of celebrating the birthday, and regard doing so as a religious innovation.

General Public Holidays (Fetes nationales)

In addition to the Islamic holidays there are the secular fetes nationales, all also celebrated to some extent, and these are tied to the Western calendar dates:

January 1st - New Year's Day.

January 11th - Anniversary of Istiqlal Manifesto (demand of Independence).

May 1st - Labour Day.

July 30th - Feast of the Throne (largest secular holiday, usually over two to three days) - commemorates the accession to the throne of King Mohammed VI.

August 14th - Allegiance of Oued Eddahab - celebrates the return of the region to Moroccan rule, it was once claimed by Mauritania.

August 20th - King & People's Revolution.

August 21st - King's Birthday & Youth Day.

November 6th - Anniversary of the Marche Verte - Green March of the Saharawi People 'reclaiming' the Western Sahara in November 1975.

November 18th - Independence Day 

We look forward to assisting you.

The SaidiaHolidayRentals crew.

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Ramadan & Islamic Holidays In Morocco

  Ramadan & Islamic Holidays In Morocco

Ramadan, considered as the most important holiday in Islam, happens on the ninth month of the twelve month lunar calendar followed in Islam. These lunar months are twelve days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so Ramadan occurs earlier in each Gregorian year.

During Ramadan, a holy holiday, all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for one month, only eating after sundown. Non-Muslims are not expected to observe Ramadan, but should be sensitive about not breaking the fast in public. In its observance, Ramadan parallels the traditional Christian Lent. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, it commemorates the time in which the Koran was revealed to Muhammad. The Ramadan fast involves abstention from food, drink smoking and sex during daylight hours throughout the months. It is forbidden to even drink water.

During the times when you are allowed to eat, it is important to only eat healthy and nutritious things good for your body. The point of Ramadan is to show devotion to Allah and to become a master in self-discipline.

There are a few groups that are exempt from Ramadan, but are expected to make up the days during a later time. These groups include menstruating and postpartum women, pregnant and breast-feeding women, travelers and anyone who feels sick or weak. In addition, children before puberty do not have to fast, although many do so to practice for half the day.

Most of the local cafes and restaurants close during the day during Ramadan, some closing for the entire month. For this reason, tourists are not recommended to travel to Morocco during this holy month. At sunset signaled by the sounding of a siren and the lighting of lamps in all city minarets an amazing sense of calm takes over the streets as the fast is broken for the day.

Traditionally the fast is broken with a bowl of harira and dates. At the breaking of the fast, everyone in the cities and villages spend their evenings celebrating with food and entertainment. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Aïd es Seghir (Aïd el Fitr, Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr) a two-day holiday.

While Ramadan may seem like a perplexing holiday to non-Muslims, non-believers may be surprised to learn how much Muslims look forward to the fast. Many feel it is a time of spiritual healing and cleansing. Post Ramadan, many Muslims participate in Shawwal, a six day fast following Aïd el Fitr (Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr).


Islamic Holidays Morocco

Aïd el Kebir – This holiday is the Moroccan equivalent of the New Year in Western Culture. This “grand festival” also known as Aid el Adha takes place 68 days after Aid es Seghir, commemorates the day that when by divine order Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Ismail, when Allah interceded by providing a ram in place of a child. Every household sacrifices a sheep and shares the meat at a family meal. In Berber villages families celebrate by putting on their best clothes and the women adorn themselves in Henna. Each fortified village and family opens their home to other families and children offering almonds and mint tea to others who come to celebrate. Children in villages often go from house to house to wish each family “Umbalid.” (Happy New Year)

Moharem– This is a cultural event which Muslims observe on the first day of Moharem, the first month in the Islamic calendar. Many Muslims use the day to remember the significance of this month, and the Hijra, or migration, Islamic prophetMoharem made to the city now known as Medina. Recently, many Muslims have begun exchanging cards and gifts on this day, though this is not commonly done. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Muharram migrates throughout the seasons.

Mouloud– The Prophets birthday, this holiday is widely observed with a large number of moussems timed to take place in the weeks around it.

Ashorou – This holiday marks the day when a music festival is held thirty days after Aïd el Kebir when people in cities and villages gather together to play traditional instruments and songs. The streets are filled with music and in villages boatmen come to place candelabras full of flaming candles at the Marabout of Sidi Abdallan ben Hasson. Families traditionally gather together to have special meals and offer zakat or a tenth of their annual income to the poor. Street celebrations, bonfires, and fireworks are other common ways of celebrating. Children take the celebrations to the street during the Achoura Festival. Most of them are waiting in anticipation for the big day of Zem Zem. Sharing a name with a well in Mecca, children are free to spray other children and adults with water. The final component of Achoura Festival is the offering of zakat.

Mouloud Moussems Morocco

Moussems are held in honor of saints or marabouts. They are local and rural celebrations for most Moroccans, primarily for the Berbers.

Meknes: Ben Aissa moussem –  This is the largest moussem and includes a spectacular fantasia (charge of horses with riders firing guns) held near Place el Hedim in the city of Meknes. For the two festival days each April, white, conical circus like tents are set up in the towns square and a cross between a circus and a medieval style jousting tournament is held. Horses charge in rows with riders firing guns from the saddles, while illusionists, jugglers and glass swallowers perform in the tents. These celebrations spring from a time when the Moussem of Sidi Ben Aissa was a time for the gathering of the Aissoua brotherhood of priests who were renowned for their ability to perform death defying acts while under trances. There is also music, singing and dancing, market souks and a party atmosphere. The main celebrations take place around the tomb of Ben Aissa, the founder of the Aissoua Sufi Brotherhood. Ben Aissa moussem takes place in April each year.


Salé,Rabat: Wax Candle moussem– This festival centers on a procession of wax candle, large latern-light creations, carried from Bab el Rih to the Grand Mosque on the eve of the Mouloud. The candle holders are followed by a variety of brotherhoods that dance and play music. The Wax Candle moussem takes place in April each year.


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Top 5 tips for travel during Ramadan in Morocco

Top 5 tips for travel during Ramadan

Ramadan Mubarak! With the Muslim holy month of Ramadan underway, now’s a good time to learn to say ‘Happy Ramadan!’ – especially if you’re considering travel at the end of July or during August to countries with majority Muslim populations, like Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. With a few pointers, you can join a happy Ramadan already in progress.


1. Know the basics
Ramadan is a lunar month dedicated to sawm, or fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam. From sun-up to sun-down, the faithful abstain from food, drink, tobacco and sex to concentrate on spiritual renewal. After sunset, there’s a euphoric iftar, or meal, to break the fast, followed by a late-night feast and sahur, a meal before the sun comes up and fasting begins again. Yet Ramadan isn’t all daytime discipline and nightly parties: it’s a time of generosity and zakat, or charity, another of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting isn’t easy, so everyone slows down during the day – but you’ll also notice people going out of their way to extend small kindnesses.

2. Plan ahead
Like any holiday, Ramadan affects business as usual. Many venues operate with limited hours and staff, so try to book accommodation, transport and tours via internet or phone before you arrive. Even if offices have posted hours, call ahead to ensure someone’s available to meet your needs. Most restaurants close by day, so pack lunches or reserve ahead at restaurants that open for lunch in tourist areas.

3. Shift your schedule
Nightly festivities trump early bedtimes during Ramadan. Sunset streets come alive with light displays, music and offers of sweets at every intersection. After an iftar of dates, soup or savoury snacks, people of all ages binge on sweets until the late-night feast – followed by more visits and sweets, until wired kids finally wear themselves out.  There’s no rush to get up the next day, unless shopping is on the agenda. Stores often close in the afternoon, and bargaining is more pleasant before midday heat kicks in and lack of water is felt. As sundown approaches, the mood turns upbeat, with Ramadan finery on display and tantalising aromas filling the streets.

4. Get into the Ramadan spirit
Don’t worry: you won’t be expected to fast during Ramadan. According to tradition, even Muslim travellers are exempt from fasting – it’s hard to do at home under controlled conditions, let alone in unfamiliar places. To show your support, avoid eating or drinking on the street in front of people who are probably fasting, and grant people privacy at prayer times.

5. Accept hospitality
When a new friend offers you special Ramadan sweets or invites you to a family feast, polite refusal would be crushing. You’re not obliged to return the favour or eat the sweets: you honour givers just by accepting their generosity in the spirit of Ramadan. Kindness can be repaid by practising zakat, and giving to a local charity.


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