Rabat – As Ramadan came to an end, Moroccans are urging the government to halt the daylight saving time, also known as GMT+1, for good.
Morocco suspends daylight saving time temporarily for Ramadan. It turns back to GMT+1 a couple of days after Eid Al Fitr.
After Morocco celebrated Eid Al Fitr today, marking the end of Ramadan, the government is set to return to GMT+1 on Saturday night through Sunday.
As Morocco prepares to switch to GMT+1, Moroccans have launched a petition that stands against daylight saving time, arguing that it “creates a daily challenge for citizens.”
Over 70,000 people have signed the petition, including more than 17,000 who signed up their name at the time of writing.
The petition is set to record more signatories in the days to come as the latest update shows thousands joining the growing chorus against the GMT+1.
“[GMT+1] undermines their quality of life. For many of us, the sudden shift in time causes continuous disruptions to the biological clock, negatively affecting academic, professional, and daily performance, as well as everyone’s mental and physical health,” reads the petition.
Citing the switch’s effects on students’ learning capacity, the petitioners said the need to restore natural time settings in Morocco is not “merely a personal preference,” but rather a vital requirement for a balanced and stable lifestyle.
“Interfering with the body’s natural rhythm exposes people to numerous health issues, from insomnia to serious psychological and physical disorders,” notes the petition.
Reports indicate that the petition meets the legal threshold for Morocco’s legislative motion process, requiring at least 25,000 valid signatures to submit a motion to parliament for debate.
Morocco is set to switch back to the GMT+1 on the night of Saturday through Sunday.
A study by the African Center for Strategic and Digital Studies (CAESD) in February listed the challenges endured by people affected by GMT+1, including short sleep, dark morning commutes, and difficulty concentrating in schools.
Students and teenagers are most affected, as their natural sleep schedules start later. This misalignment leads to fatigue, lateness, and lower academic performance.
This is not the first time petitions have come online to protest against the GMT+1.
Moroccans revive the protest against GMT+1 every year, urging the government to take into account citizens’ appeals and concerns.
Yet Morocco’s government has repeatedly rejected the plea, arguing that GMT+1 plays a crucial role in increasing the country’s national economic competitiveness by lowering energy consumption and easing transactions with partners from Europe.
A government council adopted Draft Decree 2.18.855 in 2018, adding 60 minutes to the standard time in Morocco year-round.
The decision sparked protests involving hundreds of students across Morocco. Many school students also skipped school and organized marches and sit-ins, both to protest staying on GMT+1 and to call on the government to keep the traditional school timetable.
