RABAT, January 4 (IslamOnline.net) – “Do not think twice and buy this long-haired fatty sheep and forget about cash,” reads an eye-catching ad, one of many others, emblazoned across the streets of the Moroccan capital. But there is more to this than meets the eye.

With the Muslim biggest feast `Eid Al-Adha just three weeks away, Morrocan companies are taking advantage of the festive season, planning to make a big profit by granting loans for low-income Moroccans at “huge interest rates”, to buy sheep and offer them as a “sacrifice to God”.

Exploiting Moroccans’ fears to break with the Muslim tradition, whether out of religiosity or self-esteem, the companies are competing to dig deep into the pockets of cash-strapped Moroccans.

And they know how to attract huge crowds as they pepper the offer with drawing lots on cars and domestic appliances.

The companies further took their “irresistible” ads to the airwaves and were also busy distributing glossy leaflets among people across the streets and cars clogged in traffic jams.

They further caricature low-income civil servants in some of their ads. A beefy male sheep, for instance, holds a knife and is set to “sacrifice” an anemic employee.

There is no mention directly or indirectly of any interest rates, which vary from 11 to 16 percent, given the Shari`ah stance on the issue that considers interest-based loans as haram (unlawful).

This year’s loan ceiling has been increased to more than 40,000 dirhams (US$4,890) compared to last year’s 7,000 (US$865), according to this correspondent.

Lenders should pay in installments ranging from 150 dirhams to 1,000 dirhams, depending on the value of the loan.

“Many Moroccans who opt for the loans find it an embarrassing experience and feel conscience-stricken,” an employer at one of the loan companies, who only spoke on condition of anonymity, told IslamOnline.net.

But Samir Boujida, a 32-year-old civil servant, has never considered the option of taking out a loan in spite of his 3,000 dirhams (US$375) monthly salary.

“I save every month an amount of money to avoid applying for haram [interest-based] loans,” he told IOL.

Sayeed, 36, is also reluctant to disobey God, arguing that the Udhiyah (or sacrifice) was not obligatory.

Udhiyah (or sacrifice) is not a pillar of Islam and is regarded as Wajib (mandatory) on any Muslim who can afford it, according to Imam Abu Hanifah, while other jurists see it as Sunnah Mu'akkadah (confirmed Sunnah), also on those who can afford it.

The well-off and those who have the Nisab (payable amount) of Zakah should offer a sacrifice. The time for offering a sacrifice begins after the `Eid Al-Adha prayer.

In a country where some 14 percent of its population living below the poverty line according to official estimates, many Moroccans are applying for interest-based under the “necessity relax prohibitions” rule.

But the majority of jurists do not view such case as “necessity”, given the fact that Udhiyah is mandatory only on those who can afford it.