II. Hasan Camii

Fas’s Hassan II Mosque, located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in Casablanca, is one of the largest religious structures in the Islamic world and the world. The building, which blends traditional Maghrebi architecture with modern engineering technologies, was completed in 1993 and opened for worship.^【1】 Built on the sea as a reference to King Hassan II’s belief that “God’s throne is upon the waters,” the mosque was designed to allow worshippers to observe the ocean and sky during prayer.^【2】 Although it shares a similar name with the unfinished historical Hassan Mosque in the capital Rabat, dating from the Almohad period, these two structures are independent works representing different architectural periods and purposes.

History and Construction Process

The project, announced by King Hassan II with the aim of leaving a lasting monument in Casablanca, was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau. Construction began under the Bouygues construction group on land reclaimed from the sea, which was expropriated without compensation to its former inhabitants.^【3】

Originally planned to be completed in time for the King’s 60th birthday in 1989, the project was delayed due to its enormous scale and was officially opened for worship on 30 August 1993. To accelerate construction and complete the project, thousands of workers operated in shifts: 1,400 during the day and 1,000 at night.^【4】 Estimated to have cost approximately $800 million, the project was funded through public donations collected via an open subscription system; the large influx of funds temporarily reduced the money supply and contributed to a decline in inflation.^【5】

Architectural Features and Design

The building has a rectangular floor plan measuring 200 metres in length and 100 metres in width. It incorporates strong Maghrebi and Andalusian architectural elements reminiscent of the Alhambra Palace in Spain and the Córdoba (Mezquita) Mosque, with horseshoe arches used extensively on both exterior and interior facades. The qibla wall was oriented perpendicular to the nave to allow for the maximum possible congregation space; the central nave was constructed at a height of 40 metres, while the side naves reach 27 metres.^【6】

Mosque Minaret (Anadolu Ajansı)

Minaret

The mosque’s minaret, standing between 200 and 210 metres tall, ranks among the tallest minarets in the world.^【7】 Unlike traditional circular minarets, this one is square in plan and covered in green tiles that transition to turquoise blue as they rise. At its summit, a laser beam is projected at night to indicate the direction of Mecca for worshippers.

Interior Space and Technological Features

Part of the floor is made of glass to allow worshippers to view the ocean below; this special area is reserved exclusively for the royal family. The roof, covering an area of 3,400 square metres at a height of 60 metres and weighing 1,100 tonnes, is equipped with an automated sliding mechanism that can open within five minutes to connect the interior space with the sky during special occasions.^【8】 The building is earthquake-resistant and equipped with underfloor heating and electric door systems.

Materials and Craftsmanship

Almost all materials used in the construction were sourced from natural resources within Fas: marble from Agadir, cedar wood from the Middle Atlas region, and granite from Tafraoute. Only the white granite columns and crystal chandeliers were imported from Murano near Venice.

Over 6,000 artisans from various regions of Fas used local materials to handcraft the decorative patterns and carvings adorning the structure; the completion of the stone carving alone took 13 years. Cast aluminium tiles, 35 per cent lighter than traditional ceramic tiles, were chosen for the roof. Inside, aesthetic unity was achieved through intricately carved wooden ceilings featuring eight-pointed stars, geometric ceramic tiling, and marble fountains.^【9】

Mosque Courtyard(Anadolu Ajansı)

Capacity and Külliye Structures

Hassan II Mosque has a massive capacity to accommodate 105,000 worshippers simultaneously: 25,000 inside the main prayer hall and 80,000 in the outer courtyard.^【10】 On either side of the main prayer hall are elevated wooden galleries specifically designed for women. On the lower level are fountains and Turkish-style baths. Surrounding the mosque are the Hassan II Mosque Museum, a madrasa, a library, a museum of Fas history, and conference halls. The complex is also open to tourists outside of prayer times.

Restoration Works

Due to the mosque’s location on the Atlantic Ocean, saltwater penetration into porous concrete over time caused corrosion of reinforcing steel, expansion of metal components, and cracking in the concrete. To address this, a comprehensive restoration project began in April 2005 and lasted three years, aiming to extend the building’s structural lifespan by at least 100 years through the use of high-quality concrete and stainless steel.^【11】

Name Similarity with the Historical Hassan Mosque in Rabat

The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is sometimes confused with the historical “Hassan Mosque” (Hassan Tower) in the capital Rabat, whose construction began in 1196 during the Almohad period and was left unfinished following the death of the Emir in 1199.^【12】 According to archaeological plans, the historical mosque was intended to be 185 metres long; its minaret, known as the Hassan Tower, remains at a height of 44 metres. It is a completely independent historical remnant, distinct from the modern mosque in Casablanca, and the subject of academic research and excavations.^【13】