"No deed performed by man on the Day of Sacrifice is more pleasing to God than the shedding of blood (of a sacrifice)."
What is Eid Al Adha?
Eid Al Adha — also known as Eid Al Kebir, Tabaski or the Festival of Sacrifice — is one of the two great celebrations in Islam. Every year, it brings together over one and a half billion Muslims worldwide around a single act: sacrifice.
This festival commemorates the trial of Ibrahim, peace be upon him, who consented to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to Allah. As a reward for this absolute and unwavering faith, Allah substituted his son with a ram. It is this founding act that Muslims perpetuate every year on the tenth day of the month of Dhul Hijja, the day after the Day of Arafat, during the Great Pilgrimage to Mecca.
"Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you."
This verse clearly establishes the spiritual foundation of sacrifice: it is not the act itself that matters in the eyes of Allah, but the sincere intention (niyyah) that accompanies it. It is precisely this inner dimension that makes donating a sheep to a family in need doubly meritorious: it unites the Udhiyya (sacrifice) with Sadaqah (voluntary charity), two of the noblest pillars of Islamic generosity.
Why can't some families in Morocco celebrate Eid?
The reality is often unknown to Moroccans living abroad: for millions of families in Morocco, Eid Al Adha remains an unattainable celebration. The price of a sheep ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 dirhams depending on the region and the year — several weeks or even months of salary for the most vulnerable households.
In the remote rural areas of the Atlas, in the peri-urban neighbourhoods of Casablanca or Marrakech, in the forgotten villages of the North and South, fathers spend Eid unable to offer a proper meal to their children. The sadness of these days contrasts cruelly with the joy this festival is meant to bring.
It is in response to this reality that MRE & Generous was born: a non-profit humanitarian association under the French law of 1901, founded by and for Moroccans Residing Abroad, with a clear mission — to enable the most disadvantaged families in Morocco to celebrate Eid Al Adha with dignity thanks to the generosity of MRE from France and Europe.
Offering a sheep to a poor family in Morocco from France is not just an act of charity. It is a living link with one's roots, a concrete way of honouring one's faith, and a gesture that lastingly transforms the daily life of those who receive it.
Islamic foundations of sacrifice on behalf of others
A question often arises among donors: is it islamically valid to perform a sacrifice in Morocco on behalf of a family, from France?
The answer from scholars is unanimous: yes, it is not only valid but highly recommended. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, himself sacrificed on behalf of his entire community:
"O people! Each household must offer a sacrifice every year."
"Whoever has the means to sacrifice and does not do so, let him not come near our place of prayer."
The practice of proxy sacrifice — offering an Udhiyya on behalf of a family in need — is firmly established in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). The essential requirement is that the donor formulates their intention (niyyah) at the time of donation, specifying that the sacrifice is dedicated to the beneficiary family. MRE & Generous ensures that this intention is correctly formulated by the teams present in Morocco at the time of slaughter.
It is also permitted to offer a sacrifice in the name of a deceased loved one (Udhiyya for the dead), a gesture many donors choose to honour the memory of a departed parent or friend.
How does the sheep donation work with MRE & Generous?
MRE & Generous is a non-profit humanitarian association governed by the French law of 1 July 1901. It was founded with the conviction that Moroccans in the diaspora have an essential role to play in supporting the most vulnerable populations in their country of origin.
Every year, as Eid Al Adha approaches, the association launches its fundraising campaign among MRE in France and Europe. The sheep are then purchased directly from local breeders in Morocco, guaranteeing the quality of the animals, compliance with Islamic halal slaughter standards, and support for the Moroccan rural economy.
Beneficiary families are selected according to strict vulnerability criteria, identified and validated on the ground in coordination with local authorities and neighbourhood imams. The association prioritises:
- Elderly people living alone without family support
- Single-parent families with young children
- Households in extreme economic hardship
- People with disabilities without sufficient resources
Traceability is complete: after distribution, MRE & Generous sends donors a report accompanied by photos from the field, so that each contributor can measure the concrete impact of their gesture.
Why go through an MRE humanitarian association rather than acting alone?
Many MRE wish to offer a sheep to a family in Morocco personally, through a relative or local intermediary. This approach is commendable, but it carries real risks: difficulty verifying proper use of funds, lack of guarantees on compliance with Islamic rules, absence of objective criteria in choosing beneficiaries, and often higher costs due to multiple intermediaries.
By going through MRE & Generous, the donor benefits from a transparent associative structure, proven logistics, and an Islamic guarantee on each sacrifice. Group purchasing also optimises the cost per sheep, thus maximising the impact of every euro donated.
Furthermore, as MRE & Generous is a French law 1901 association recognised as being of general public interest, your donations entitle you to a 66% French income tax reduction. A tax receipt (Cerfa form No. 11580) is issued upon simple request to contact@mreetgenereux.org.
What participants are saying
"Thanks to MRE & Generous, I was able to offer a sheep to a family of seven children in the Beni Mellal region. The photos received on Eid day deeply moved me. It is the most meaningful gesture I have made this year."
"I have been living in France for twenty years. For a long time, Eid felt distant, almost foreign. Thanks to the association, I feel fully part of this celebration again, even from a distance."
These testimonials illustrate what the act of giving truly produces: not only does it transform the life of a family in Morocco, but it also reconnects the donor to their faith, culture, and community responsibility.
Frequently asked questions about sheep donation from France
Is the sacrifice valid if it is performed in Morocco while I am in France?
Yes, according to almost all contemporary scholars. The geographical distance between the donor and the place of sacrifice does not invalidate the Udhiyya. What matters is the sincerity of intention and compliance with Islamic conditions at the time of slaughter, conditions that MRE & Generous guarantees.
How much should I expect to donate for a sheep?
The amount varies each year depending on the price of animals on Moroccan markets. Visit www.mreetgenereux.org directly to find out the rates for the current campaign.
Can I make a donation in the name of a deceased person?
Yes. Sacrifice in the name of a deceased loved one is permitted and practised by many Muslims. Simply indicate this at the time of your donation, and the association's team will formulate the intention accordingly during the slaughter.
How can I be sure my donation was properly used?
MRE & Generous commits to providing a report for each campaign, with photos of the distributions. Transparency is at the heart of the association's approach.
How far in advance of Eid should I donate?
It is advisable to make your donation at least three to four weeks before the date of the festival, to allow the association to organise purchases, logistics and family selection under the best conditions.
How to participate?
Joining the MRE & Generous campaign for Eid Al Adha is simple and secure. Simply visit www.mreetgenereux.org, choose your contribution formula — individual sheep, partial participation, or sacrifice in the name of a deceased — then make your payment online. A confirmation will be sent to you, and after Eid, you will receive photos and the distribution report.
Conclusion
Offering a sheep to a disadvantaged family in Morocco for Eid Al Adha from France is much more than a ritual act. It is a gesture of deep solidarity, a living link with one's roots, and a concrete way of practising one's faith by helping those who need it most. Eid should be a celebration for everyone — not just those who can afford it.
With MRE & Generous, every euro of your donation goes directly to the heart of a family waiting for this moment with hope and dignity.
"He who has no mercy for others, Allah will have no mercy for him."
Article written by the MRE & Generous team — Non-profit humanitarian association — www.mreetgenereux.org