Page 78 - Clipper Cruise Book

Hassan II claims the title of having the largest minaret in the
world. A laser beam at the top of the minaret visible up to 22
miles away shines east towards the direction of Mecca. The

minaret is 689-feet tall, towering above the Atlantic Ocean and
is the highest building in Casablanca.

Almost lighthouse-like in its position, it is also built directly on
the Atlantic Ocean on reclaimed land, which was done with
intention by the architect to recall a verse of the Qur’an stating
that “the throne of Allah was built on water.”

The final construction took 2,500 men working around the
clock. Besides the mosque’s intricate beauty and incredible size,
it was also built with modern concerns in mind. The mosque can
withstand earthquakes and also features a sliding roof which, in
three minutes, can change the prayer hall into a magnificent
patio so worshippers can pray under the stars at night, and a
heated floor.

A nave of incomparable beauty, with a prayer room large
enough to hold 25,000 worshippers and an esplanade for a
further 80,000. The mosque is a gem of religious architecture,
subtly mixing Moroccan tradition with a state-of-the-art
technology.

The Hassan II Mosque is one of only two mosques in the country
open to non-Muslims. Tours are available in multiple languages
and are required if you are not Muslim. No need to cover your
head, but knees and shoulders should be covered. Entrants must
remove their shoes (plan your socks accordingly), but you are
provided a small bag to carry them on your tour.

The tours run Saturday through Thursday at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11
a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11
a.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

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