Beneath the Casablanca sky stands the magnificent Hassan II Mosque. It is not just a place of worship. It is a testament to Moroccan artistry and King Hassan II’s vision.
Imagine, if you will, the year is 1980. King Hassan II voices his dream. He wants Casablanca to have a grand mosque. It should be a source of pride forever. He declares his wish to build it on the water. This is because God’s throne is on the water. The faithful can contemplate God’s sky and ocean while praying on firm soil.
Construction began on July 12 1986. It lasted seven years. During the most intense period 1400 men worked by day. Another 1100 worked through the night. 10000 artists and craftsmen contributed to the mosque’s creation. The Hassan II Mosque was finally completed in 1993.
King Hassan II commissioned the mosque. He wanted the most ambitious structure ever built in Morocco. Michel Pinseau a French architect designed it. The civil engineering group Bouygues constructed it.
The Hassan II Mosque’s construction cost about 585 million euro. Financing was a sensitive issue. Morocco is a lower mid-income country. Hassan wanted a mosque second only to Mecca. The government lacked sufficient funds. Much of the financing came from public subscription. Twelve million people donated. Even small contributions of 5 DH were accepted.
The Hassan II Mosque is 200 metres long and 100 metres wide. All materials granite plaster marble and wood came from Morocco. The exceptions were some Italian white granite columns and 56 glass chandeliers. These came from Murano near Venice. Six thousand Moroccan artisans worked for five years. They created mosaics stone floors marble columns and sculpted plaster. Carved and painted wood ceilings add to its beauty.
The mosque can accommodate 25000 worshippers inside. Another 80000 can gather in the outside plaza. The prayer hall is a marvel. It could easily house Notre-Dame de Paris or St Peter’s Basilica. Cedar from the Middle Atlas marble from Agadir and granite from Tafraoute enrich the space.
The Hassan II Mosque blends Islamic architecture and Moroccan elements. It reflects Moorish influences. The design incorporates features from other Moroccan buildings. These include the unfinished mosque in Rabat and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh.
A retractable roof illuminates the prayer hall with sunlight. Worshippers can pray under the stars on clear nights. The roof weighs 1100 tons. It opens in five minutes. It measures 60 metres high and covers 3400 square metres.
The minaret stands 210 metres tall. It was the world’s tallest when completed. A laser beam at the top points towards Mecca. It has a range of 30 kilometres.
The Hassan II Mosque Museum displays Moroccan art. It showcases unused architectural elements. These include carved stucco painted wood ceilings and zellij walls.
However the Atlantic Ocean posed a challenge. Salt water caused structural deterioration. Restoration works were completed. Moly-grade stainless steel and high-grade concrete were used. The building’s life was extended by 100 years.
The Hassan II Mosque stands as a symbol. It represents faith art and the vision of a king. It is a place where the faithful can connect with God’s sky and ocean. It is a landmark that Casablanca can be proud of forever.