Doha – The Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform announced today that Morocco will return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) at 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan.
The announcement explained that this change comes in accordance with Decree No. 2.18.855, issued on October 26, 2018, regarding the country’s legal time system.
Since 2018, Morocco has maintained GMT+1 throughout the year, except during Ramadan, a decision that was initially justified by energy savings and economic alignment with European partners.
This switch saved 37.6 gigawatt-hours of electricity and reduced carbon emissions by 11,444 tons, according to government studies.
However, this practice has sparked ongoing debate among citizens, with some health experts noting its impact on sleep patterns and general wellbeing, particularly among children.
The statement also indicated that after Ramadan, the time will be adjusted forward by 60 minutes when the clock strikes 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 6.
This temporary return to GMT during Ramadan has become an annual tradition in Morocco, allowing citizens to better align their daily activities with the fasting schedule.
