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Morocco will return to daylight saving time (GMT+1) on Sunday, April 23 at 2 a.m, the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform announced on Thursday.
The news comes a few days ahead of Eid Al Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Religious committees in Morocco will sight the crescent moon for the month of Shawwal tonight following sunset prayers to determine the official date of Eid Al Fitr.
Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar, marks the end of Ramadan – when Muslims fast for 29 to 30 days depending on the crescent moon sighting.
Morocco’s decision to switch back to GMT+1 is in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of Decree No.2.18.855, adding 60 minutes to the standard time in the country year-round.
Morocco, which only goes back to GMT when Ramadan is around the corner. suspended GMT+1 on March 19, a week prior to the holy month.
The trend of switching from GMT+1 to GMT during Ramadan reopens debates questioning the effectiveness of daylight saving time annually.
Citizens have frequently called on the government to permanently suspend the daylight saving time measure. The government, however, is convinced that the time change is a tool to reduce energy consumption.
