Press Release

Kuwait: Dr. Ghalib Al-Mashoor, President of Indo-Kuwait Friendship Society visited Muslim world’s one of the  tallest Minaret owned  Masjid “The Hassan II Masjid” in Morocco.  Al-Mashoor was on a short trip to Casablanca, Morocco (Maghrib) for a private visit.  Al-Mashoor remarked that the word “Masjid” is found 17 times in the Holy Qur’an:
 
Al-Baqara [2:191], Al-Baqara [2:149], Al-Baqara [2:144], Al-Baqara [2:150],Al-A’raf [7:29],Al-A’raf [7:31], Al-Anfal [8:34], At-Tauba [9:7], At-Tauba [9:19],At-Tauba [9:28],At-Tauba [9:108], At-Tauba [9:107], Al-Isra [17:1], Al-Isra [17:7],Al-Hajj [22:25],Al-Fath [48:25], Al-Fath [48:27],

The word “MASJID” (worship place of Muslims) has been derived from “SAJADA” (Prostration) as such it is preferable to name “Masjid” in the middle of  English sentence so called “Mosque”.  Another point is the beauty of having the language of the Holy Qur’an as a lingua franca for Muslims, possibly another way of connecting to each other no matter nationality or mother tongue. “SAJADA, SUJOOD, MASJID” all are illustrated “Prostration” to one GOD and the place of Prostration rather than naming it as “Mosque”. In defense of the people that used the name as “MASJID” is more appropriate than to say “mosque” in which the word seems to be signaling erroneous word.

“The Hassan II Masjid” is one of the world’s 20 wonderful Masjids. Located in Casablanca is the largest mosque in Morocco and the fifth largest mosque in the world. Designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau and built by Bouygues. It stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers. A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque’s adjoining grounds for a total of 105,000 worshippers present at any given time at the Hassan II mosque. Its minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 m (689 ft).

Best single picture of “HASSAN IInd MASJID”

Grand Hassan II Masjid thru sea-view

The Hassan II Masjid has the tallest minaret in the world

At 689 feet, the Great Masjid's minaret is the tallest structure in Morocco and the tallest minaret in the world. At night, lasers shine a beam from the top of the minaret toward Holy Mecca, "to point the way to Prayer direction”. The Hassan II Masjid in Casablanca was completed in August 1993 after great expense and artistic labor, and the result is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world. Its gleaming newness and tremendous wealth is a stark contrast against the rest of Casablanca.

History

The great Hassan II Masjid was commissioned by its namesake, King Hassan II, in part to provide Casablanca with a single landmark monument. On July 9, 1980, on king Hassan’s birthday it was declared by saying the late King Hassan II: “I wish Casablanca to be endowed with a large, fine building of which it can be proud until the end of time... I want to build this mosque on the water, because God's throne is on the water. Therefore, the faithful who go there to pray, to praise the creator on firm soil, can contemplate God's sky and ocean”.

Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, construction of the Hassan II Masjid began in July 1986. The project is estimated to have cost as much as $800 million, funds that were remarkably raised entirely from public subscription. International reports have suggested both local resentment and less-than-voluntary donations to the project, but Moroccans seem to be genuinely proud of their monument. The massive fundraising also had a positive side-effect: it temporarily reduced Morocco's money supply and brought down inflation.

One of several sets of entrance doors to the mosque

Nearly all the materials of the Hassan II Masjid are from Morocco, with the sole exceptions of the imported white granite columns and glass chandeliers (from Murano, near Venice). The marble is from Agandir, the cedar wood is from the Middle Atlas and the granite comes from Tafraoute. Over 6,000 Moroccan master craftsmen and artisans were employed to work these local materials into the intricate decorations that embellish the entire structure. When construction passed its deadline in the early 1990s, 1,400 men worked by day and 1,000 worked by night to bring the vast project to completion.

One of several sets of entrance doors to the mosque

What to See:

The Hassan II Masjid is open to all Muslims at daily prayer (5) times and for special Friday Prayer also. Non-Muslim visitors may enter the mosque on guided tours, which take place several times a day in English.

Intricately carved ceiling above the women's gallery

The most distinctive characteristic of the Hassan II Masjid is its spectacular location on a platform over the Atlantic Ocean. Uniquely, part of the Masjid's floor is made of glass so worshippers can kneel directly over the sea. Unfortunately, this wonderful feature is mainly for royal use and is off-limits to visitors.

One of several sets of entrance doors to the mosque

Above, an automated sliding roof opens (on special occasions) to the sky. Thus the faithful of Casablanca can indeed contemplate God's sky and ocean in accordance with Hassan's wishes.

Finely carved wooden ceiling

Prayer area, with small rugs ready to hold shoes

The style of the Hassan II Masjid displays strong Moorish influences, bringing to mind the Alhambra and Mezquita in Spain. Horseshoe arches prevail both outside and in, and the walls and columns of the interior are delicately carved in a variety of intricate patterns.

Large communal bath beneath the mosque

There is a huge women's gallery on the right as you face the prayer area, which is beautifully carved of dark wood. The prayer area in the back is spacious and carpeted in red. Downstairs are Turkish-style baths and fountains for washing.

Fountains beneath the mosque

 
The building was designed to withstand earthquakes and has a heated floor and electric doors. Its great place to visit to know the world’s best civilization, Dr. Ghalib added.

Al-Mashoor said that he plans to visit many of the Grand Masjids in the world within a short span of time.