Significant Public Support for Universal Time in Morocco
Following the conclusion of Ramadan, Morocco recently adjusted its clocks, reverting to its standard time. Since 2018, the country has officially adopted UTC+1 as its time zone, with the exception of Ramadan when it aligns with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). A petition advocating for the permanent adoption of UTC, referred to by supporters as 'biological time,' has garnered over 100,000 signatures, highlighting a significant shift in public sentiment regarding time management in the kingdom.
According to petitioners, the current time zone disrupts the natural biological clock of many Moroccans, adversely affecting sleep patterns, concentration, and overall mood. A common sentiment among citizens, particularly in bustling cities like Casablanca, is the desire for a time system that aligns better with their daily rhythms. "We want to change the current time to adopt biological time, just like other countries. We shouldn't be the outlier," stated one supporter. Others echoed similar feelings, emphasizing the need for a time that allows for better sleep and more productive evenings.
Health Concerns and Legislative Action
The Moroccan government initially justified the UTC+1 time zone as a measure to save energy and facilitate business with European partners, particularly France and Spain. However, Mohacine el-Ouadouari, the philosophy teacher spearheading the petition, argues that the health costs associated with this time change are too high. He asserts that reverting to UTC would better suit the psychological and health needs of Moroccans, aligning with their biological clocks as supported by various scientific studies.
With a remarkable 107,576 signatures collected, el-Ouadouari is determined to push this initiative into the legislative arena. The Moroccan legal framework allows citizens to present petitions to the government for consideration. "The goal of our initiative is to ensure that the government, which is legally and organizationally responsible for time management, takes our concerns seriously, as confirmed by the constitutional court," he elaborated. A recent survey conducted by PwC found that 77% of Moroccans believe that the legal time change disrupts their sleep, underscoring the need for a reassessment of the current time regulations.
As reported by rfi.fr.
