Capital: Rabat · Normally UTC+1 · one of the only countries in the world that deliberately turns its clocks back to GMT for the entire month of Ramadan.
METHOD: MOROCCO (DEDICATED NATIONAL METHOD)Like neighbouring Algeria, Morocco maintains its own dedicated calculation method rather than a generic regional convention — a reflection of the wider Maghreb's tradition of running its own religious-affairs institutions rather than importing a Gulf or South Asian standard. Morocco's Ministry of Islamic Affairs coordinates the national calendar, and its geography — Atlantic coast, Mediterranean coast, Atlas Mountains and Sahara fringe all inside one country — gives it more internal climate and terrain variety than most of its Maghreb neighbours.
Morocco normally observes daylight saving time at UTC+1 for most of the year — but it deliberately reverts to GMT/WET (UTC+0) specifically for the duration of Ramadan, then switches back to UTC+1 once the month ends. The change keeps iftar and suhoor at more socially convenient clock hours during the fasting month, rather than letting the extra daylight-saving hour push Maghrib unusually late into the evening.
Yes — Morocco reverts from its usual UTC+1 daylight-saving offset back to GMT/WET (UTC+0) specifically for the duration of Ramadan each year, then reinstates the +1 offset afterward, a practice unique among major Muslim-majority countries.
The switch keeps Maghrib (iftar) and Fajr (the suhoor cutoff) at more socially convenient clock hours during the fasting month, rather than letting the extra daylight-saving hour push iftar unusually late.
No — Morocco has its own dedicated calculation method, maintained specifically for the country rather than a generic regional convention.
Just the clock — the sun-based calculation of each prayer time doesn't change; what changes is which clock hour that moment is labelled with, since the country's UTC offset itself shifts.