"My monthly salary does not cover all the needs, so we have to cut a portion of our monthly expenses in the months preceding the Eid to be able to secure the necessary money for celebrating it," said Ali, a 38-year-old civil servant.

Abdullah, 40-year-old bread-winner of a six-member family, said it would be heartbreaking to see sadness in the eyes of his children seeing children of the neighbors playing with their sacrificial sheep.

But as if tough living conditions are not enough to leave most Moroccans unable to buy sacrificial animals, prices were rocketing in livestock markets which witness a buzz of activity as Muslims strive to find a not so expensive animal to be sacrificed at the feast.

"Sacrificial animals are this year good but expensive in comparison with last year," said Khadega Al-Wali, another civil servant, while standing in al-Qunaytera livestock market searching for a good sacrificial animal.

But there are no definite indicators to signal ups and downs in the prices of sacrificial animals.

"livestock markets suffer so far a recession due to rising prices and news circulating that sheep with affordable prices are yet to be imported" said El-Sayed Mohamed, 29.

"People are waiting but are fearful that the already skyhigh prices might double," he added.

But traders see the bleak picture drawn by their clients from a different perspective.

"This year's prices of livestock are lower than previous year's, but people do not want to buy anything," said Elal, a sheep trader.

"People just keep asking about prices, with no intention of going a step further," he complained.

As for the best species of sheep, it can be only determined through "eyes of the beholder".

Most Moroccans prefer "Al-'Sardi" sheep for its good meat, but its high price deter many from adventuring the deal and seeking less expensive choices.

Others prefer "Mironos" sheep species that are thought to have Spanish origin.

Unable to meet the financial needs of Eid Al-Adha, some Moroccans take refugee in low-interest loans offered by some companies.

One such company offers a loan of 5,000 darhims to be paid back on a 48-month time span with an interest rate of 15 percent.

Civil servants are the target of these loans because companies can in this case collect their money directly from the concerned government bodies.