Moroccan Transition to Daylight Saving Time Post-Ramadan
As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, Moroccans are gearing up to move their clocks forward by sixty minutes, thereby reestablishing Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the country, which operates on GMT+1. This transition is set to occur at 2 AM on Sunday, March 22, following a temporary shift back to Morocco's official time (Greenwich Mean Time) at 3 AM on February 15, in observance of Ramadan's arrival.
While this clock adjustment has become a customary practice associated with Ramadan, there has been considerable pushback from various sectors of the population. Many social media users have voiced their dissatisfaction with the return to the additional hour, reiterating calls for a permanent return to Greenwich Mean Time. Furthermore, some individuals have made it clear that they intend to continue organizing their daily activities based on the legal time, disregarding the Daylight Saving adjustments altogether.
The inception of the DST in Morocco traces back to late 2018 when the government, under Saad Eddine El Othmani, enacted a decree allowing for the year-round application of Daylight Saving Time. This decision sparked a significant backlash and protests, particularly among students in various cities who were notably affected by the time change.
Experts have raised concerns regarding the negative health implications and psychological impacts associated with Daylight Saving Time, highlighting issues such as sleep disorders and decreased concentration and productivity. These effects are particularly pronounced among children, students, and workers, who often experience chronic fatigue and mood swings due to disruptions in their biological clocks, ultimately hindering their daily performance.
The start date for Ramadan is contingent upon the sighting of the lunar crescent in Morocco, a criterion that the cities of Ceuta and Melilla have adhered to in consensus for years to align their religious calendar with that of their neighboring country. The conclusion of the holy month is anticipated to fall on the upcoming Friday, March 20.
As reported by elfarodeceuta.es.
