Casablanca: Mosque of Hassan II

This morning we said farewell to Marrakech and boarded our bus for a final distance drive — to Casablanca. After about three hours of travel, we stopped for lunch at the food court of the largest shopping mall in Morocco. Mohamed thought we might enjoy the juxtaposition between the old market of last night and the “new market.” We will say that shopping malls are probably still in their heyday in Morocco, if this one is anything to judge by. The storefronts were all occupied with upscale vendors (American, European and Moroccan), and the place was kept immaculately clean by an army of workers. A large cylindrical aquarium was featured at the center. Interesting stop after all!

Then it was on to a visit the enormous mosque of King Hassan II, completed in 1993 after just 7 years. The project is estimated to have cost as much as $700 million, funds that were remarkably raised mostly from public donations (questionable about how voluntary those donations were). But Moroccans seem to be genuinely proud of their monument.

The tile, wood and plaster work inside and out is exquisite, and the mosque has some interesting features, including a retractable roof. The purpose is to provide spiritual contemplation (and ventilation?) for the up to 25,000 worshippers who can fit inside. On special holy days up to another 80,000 can fit in the plaza outside.Read more