What if I told you this mosque wasn’t always a mosque? Here we stand before the Mosquée Al Qods, a fascinating blend of cultures and histories. Mosquée Al Qods sits in the Roches Noires neighborhood of Casablanca. It stands as a testament to the evolving story of this vibrant city. Originally, this building was the Church of Saint Margaret, a Neo-Gothic structure completed in 1920. Its design was inspired by the Église Saint-Martin de Pau in France, a nod to the French influence in Morocco at the time. The founder of the Roches Noires neighborhood, a Frenchman named Eugène Lendrat, commissioned its construction. He even named it after his mother, Marguerite. In 1981, after Moroccan independence, the church underwent a significant transformation. It became the Mosquée Al Qods, reflecting the country’s shift in cultural identity. This conversion took place during the reign of King Hassan II, amidst policies that encouraged a Moroccan national character. This transition wasn’t just about changing a building. It represented a larger movement of cultural and religious change in Morocco. Today, Mosquée Al Qods serves as a place of worship for the local Muslim community. Its unique history, visible in its architecture, offers a glimpse into the complex layers of Casablanca’s past.
Galerie Nadar
Galerie Nadar is more than just a space. It’s a place where art transcends boundaries. It is a place where