The Moroccan government will cancel daylight saving time and return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on Sept. 20, 2026 [1].
This decision follows a period of public dissatisfaction with the time shift. Citizens argued that the additional hour during the summer months negatively impacted their daily lives and general well-being [2].
Morocco had maintained the practice of daylight saving time for eight years [3]. The shift back to GMT is intended to align the nation's clock with its natural geographic time zone, a move that officials believe will resolve the ongoing grievances of the population [2].
While some reports indicated the change would occur generally at the end of the summer, specific government data confirms the implementation date as Sept. 20, 2026 [1]. The transition will effectively remove the one-hour advance that has been standard for nearly a decade [3].
Government representatives said the move is a direct response to the needs of the people. By reverting to GMT, the administration aims to stabilize the daily schedules of workers and students who found the summer time adjustment disruptive [2].
This reversal marks a significant shift in national timekeeping policy. The government is now prioritizing the social and biological rhythms of its citizens over the perceived energy or productivity benefits often associated with daylight saving time [2].
“The Moroccan government will cancel daylight saving time and return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).”
The return to GMT reflects a prioritization of public sentiment and social stability over the economic or energy-saving arguments typically used to justify daylight saving time. By aligning the national clock with its geographic reality, Morocco is reducing the friction in daily scheduling and addressing a long-standing point of contention between the state and its citizens.
