Morocco has officially designated October 31 as a new national holiday, to be celebrated under the name “Aid Al Wahda” or “Unity Day.” The move follows a Royal Decision that enshrines the date as a powerful symbol of national unity, particularly in relation to Morocco’s longstanding position on the Sahara.
The decision was formalized on Thursday during a government council meeting in Rabat, where two decrees were adopted to give the holiday full legal status. The first decree, No. 2.26.14, introduced by the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills, adds October 31 to the list of paid public holidays for both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.
The second decree, No. 2.25.1140, presented by the Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, extends the observance of Unity Day to public administrations, state institutions, and outsourced public services.
Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas emphasized during a post-meeting press conference that this royal initiative marks a historic turning point for Morocco’s national narrative. Framing it as a reaffirmation of the country’s stance on the Sahara issue, Baitas described the holiday as a powerful expression of the Moroccan people’s unity and their unwavering commitment to the core values of the Kingdom.
