With its borders stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean and from Mauritania to Algeria, Morocco is known as Jazirat al-Maghreb in the Islamic world and Morocco in the West. Morocco, whose south is Africa and north is Europe, connects the two worlds like a bridge. It preserves its unique and special structure with its location, natural environment, social structure, and traditional culture.
It is known that cultures express themselves through what they leave behind in history, transcending time and live on through their artifacts. These tangible expressions serve as a bridge across time, conveying the essence of a bygone era to future generations. For this reason, we have chosen as the subject of these lines a mosque that is more than a place of worship and is considered to be the westernmost landmark of the Islamic world, the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. It is considered one of the largest mosques in the world.
The Hassan II Mosque is a monumental place of worship whose construction was inspired by a dream King Hassan II, the namesake of the mosque, had. Drawing inspiration from the seventh verse of Surah al-Hud: “and His Throne was upon the waters...”, the Hassan II Mosque was constructed with its threequarters extending over the Atlantic Ocean. This design choice contributes to the mosque’s awe-inspiring impression of floating when viewed from the ocean, thereby earning it the designation of “the floating mosque.” A section reserved exclusively for the royal family features a glass floor, offering a perspective of the ocean waters below.
Located on the coast of Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, resembles a delicate lace adorning the Atlantic shore with its 210-meterhigh square minaret. The minaret’s impressive height is attributable to its unique square design. The thirty-ton minaret, whose lantern is visible from across the city, serves as a constant reminder of the mosque’s colossal scale. Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, its construction commenced in 1980.
Thousands of workers and artisans tirelessly toiled for thirteen years, culminating in the mosque’s completion in 1993. Public contributions significantly financed the construction of the Hassan II Mosque, solidifying its special place in the hearts of the Moroccan people. This awe-inspiring edifice functions almost as a home for the Moroccan people. Accommodating over one hundred thousand worshippers, the mosque also welcomes non-Muslim visitors during designated hours.
The Hassan II Mosque embodies the architectural heritage of the Maghreb. The cultural basin of the Islamic world in the west, including Andalusia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, is called the Maghreb. Morocco itself holds the distinction of being the westernmost extremity of the Islamic world, earning it the designation Maghreb al-Aqsa. Thus, the Hassan II Mosque stands as a monumental representation of Islamic aesthetics in this farwestern land. All the mastery and splendor of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship can be observed in the mosque. The intricate decorations showcase a captivating blend of artistic styles: hand-carved wooden ceilings adorned with eight-pointed stars, geometrically patterned ceramic tiles reflecting Moroccan cultural heritage, and the meticulous artistry of wood carvings, plasterwork, and cut tiles. This two-story mosque seamlessly integrates characteristic elements of both Moroccan and Andalusian architecture.
Built in the form of a complex with its courtyard adjacent to the ocean, its pools, madrasas, library, fountains, and social buildings, this structure caters to a diverse range of needs at the same time. Almost all of the materials used in the construction of the mosque were sourced from various cities in Morocco. The magnificent structure, which blends traditional aesthetics with subtle modern touches, incorporates an underfloor heating system, providing comfort to visitors during winter months. In a unique departure from tradition, the Hassan II Mosque has a movable roof covered with Moorish-style tiles. This marvel of modern engineering boasts a weight of several tons yet opens and closes in mere minutes. With its retractable ceilings, it offers shade for those who want to cool off in the heat of summer and magnificent views for those who want to worship under the stars. The interior of the mosque, which does not have a dome, has a dome-shaped ceiling when viewed from the inside, between the hand-painted ceiling sections - in the section close to the mihrab. It is a work of art that combines the past and the future with its twelve-meter-long titanium doors, wooden ceilings and plaster carvings. The stucco carving and mosaic cladding, which are prominent in Moroccan architecture, have left their mark on the mosque. With its unprecedented windows, horseshoe arches, and seemingly endless columns, this sublime monument is a source of immense pride, not only for Casablanca but for all of Morocco. In accordance with the Islamic tradition emphasizing the virtue of praying in the first row, the mosque is 200 x 100 meters in width and is oriented to the southeast, towards the Ka‘bah.
The Hassan II Mosque, which unquestionably merits its distinction as one of the world’s largest mosques, stands as the westernmost symbol of the Islamic world with its colossal scale and magnificent ornamentation that leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
