Moroccan parliament session suspended after lawmaker calls PJD “Shiite” during Eid livestock debate

A session in Morocco’s House of Representatives was suspended Monday after socialist lawmaker Idriss Chhtibi accused members of the Islamist Justice and Development Party of being “Shiite,” triggering a heated confrontation during a debate over Eid al Adha sheep prices.

The clash erupted after Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari defended the availability of sheep in Moroccan markets and said prices started at around 1,000 dirhams, a claim that immediately drew ridicule and protests from opposition lawmakers.

As interruptions intensified, Chhtibi, who was presiding over the oral questions session, accused PJD lawmakers of behaving like “Shiites and communists,” remarks opposition MPs demanded be withdrawn from the parliamentary record.

PJD lawmaker Mustapha Ibrahimi objected to the comments, insisting the party’s members were “Moroccan Sunnis, not Shiites,” while Chhtibi refused to retract the statement, saying he was referring to earlier political remarks linked to former PJD leader Abdelilah Benkirane and the party’s past positions regarding Iran.

The confrontation escalated further before parliamentary group leaders called for the session to be suspended. Proceedings resumed more than 20 minutes later after consultations between members of parliament’s bureau.

The political dispute unfolded against growing pressure over livestock prices ahead of Eid al Adha following years of drought and a sharp decline in Morocco’s national herd.

During the session, El Bouari defended the government’s handling of the livestock market, saying veterinary monitoring showed the national herd remained in good health and free from contagious diseases.

The minister said authorities had conducted 3,300 field inspections and imposed tighter controls on poultry waste transport to prevent its illegal use in animal fattening operations.

But debate quickly centered on prices after El Bouari insisted sheep were available between 1,000 and 5,000 dirhams depending on breed and size.

Opposition lawmakers challenged the figures, with Haraki parliamentary leader Idriss Sentissi accusing the minister of misleading parliament by claiming sheep could still be found at 1,000 dirhams.

After the session resumed, El Bouari partially walked back his earlier remarks, acknowledging he had “made a mistake” when referring to sheep priced at 1,000 or 1,500 dirhams, and said prices currently circulating in markets were closer to 2,000 to 2,500 dirhams.