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The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca was completed in
1993 after great expense and artistic labor, and the result is one of
the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world. Its gleaming
newness and tremendous wealth is a stark contrast against the rest of
Casablanca.
History
The great Hassan II Mosque was commissioned by its namesake, King Hassan
II, in part to provide Casablanca with a single landmark monument. On
his birthday, July 9, 1980, the king declared:
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Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, construction of the Hassan
II Mosque began in July 1986 on land reclaimed (without compensation to
the former residents) from a run-down area near the sea. The goal for
completion of the mosque was King Hassan II's 60th birthday in 1989, but
it ended up not being finished until August 30, 1993.
The project is estimated to have cost as much as $800 million, funds
that were remarkably raised entirely from public subscription.
International reports have suggested both local resentment and
less-than-voluntary donations to the project, but Moroccans seem to be
genuinely proud of their monument. The massive fundraising also had a
positive side-effect: it temporarily reduced Morocco's money supply and
brought down inflation. |
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Nearly all the materials of the Hassan II Mosque are from Morocco, with
the sole exceptions of the imported white granite columns and glass
chandeliers (from Murano, near Venice). The marble is from Agandir, the
cedar wood is from the Middle Atlas and the granite comes from Tafraoute.
Over 6,000 Moroccan master craftsmen and artisans were employed to work
these local materials into the intricate decorations that embellish the
entire structure. When construction passed its deadline in the early
1990s, 1,400 men worked by day and 1,000 worked by night to bring the
vast project to completion. |
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What to See
The Hassan II Mosque is open to all Muslims at daily prayer times and
for special Friday services. Non-Muslim visitors may enter the mosque on
guided tours, which take place several times a day in English.
The most distinctive characteristic of the Hassan II Mosque is its
spectacular location (see aerial view below) on a platform over the
Atlantic Ocean. Uniquely, part of the mosque's floor is made of glass so
worshippers can kneel directly over the sea. Unfortunately, this
wonderful feature is mainly for royal use and is off-limits to visitors.
Above, an automated sliding roof opens (on special occasions) to the
heavens. Thus the faithful of Casablanca can indeed contemplate God's
sky and ocean in accordance with Hassan's wishes.
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At 689 feet, the Great Mosque's minaret is the tallest structure in
Morocco and the tallest minaret in the world. At night, lasers shine a
beam from the top of the minaret toward Mecca, "to point the way to
God." The building was designed to withstand earthquakes and has a
heated floor and electric doors.
The style of the Hassan II Mosque displays strong Moorish influences,
bringing to mind the Alhambra and Mezquita in Spain. Horseshoe arches
prevail both outside and in, and the walls and columns of the interior
are delicately carved in a variety of intricate patterns.
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There is a huge women's gallery on the right as you face the prayer
area, which is beautifully carved of dark wood. The prayer area in the
back is spacious and carpeted in red. Downstairs are Turkish-style baths
and fountains for washing. |
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VIEW PICTURE GALLERY
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