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Here we are, in front of Hassan II Mosque. Please read about this building, it is fascinating. The information is from Carole French’s book Morocco.

This brainchild and crowning achievement of King Hassan II, this phenomenal building is the world’s third-largest mosque, after Mecca and Medina. It was built to commemorate the former king’s 60th birthday and opened in 1993 giving Casablanca the heart and landmark it so sorely missed.

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The mosque rises above the ocean on a rocky outcrop reclaimed from the sea, taking literally the verse from the Qur’an that states that God’s throne was built upon the water. It is a vast building that can hold 25,000 worshippers within its structure and can accommodate a further 80,000 in the courtyards and squares around it.

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The mosque was designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau and is topped by a soaring 210 m- tall minaret, which shines a laser beam towards Mecca by night. In addition to this high-tech call to prayer, the mosque also has a centrally heated floor, electric doors and a retractable roof.

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Over 6000 traditional Moroccan artisans worked on the building over the course of its construction. The Hassan II Mosque is one of the very few Islamic religious buildings open to non-Muslims.

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12 comments

    1. Thank you Annie, it is great to hear from you. I am glad you enjoy the blog. There is more to come!

  1. Hi, I’m a friend of Simone’s and she gave us your website so that we could follow your journey. I have to tell you that the pictures you are posting with accompanying text are magnificent. I’m really very much enjoying following you all. Just now I listened to the song you posted and it brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I hope you all continue to enjoy your trip. Be safe. I look
    forward to seeing more.

    Regards

    Jan. (Hello Simon, it’s all looking wonderful)

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