With Morocco’s sheep herds dwindling at an alarming rate, King Mohammed VI made a rare break with tradition by urging families to forego buying sheep to sacrifice during the upcoming Eid Al-Adha.

Eid al-Adha, to take place in June, commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son on God's command. Muslims mark the event by slaughtering sheep or goats. The meat is shared among family and donated to the poor.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, the country’s “commander of the faithful,” called on citizens to forgo the traditional sheep sacrifice during Eid al-Adha in early June. The reason: a severe drought that has reduced livestock numbers and driven up prices.