GRANDE MOSQUE HASSAN II Casablanca, Morocco

The Grande Mosque Hassan II dominates the skyline of the Moroccan city of Casablanca. After Mecca, it is undoubtedly the most extraordinary mosque complex in the Arabic-Islamic world. More than 12 million people made a financial contribution to the construction of the gigantic mosque, the 8th Wonder of the World! Built between 1987 and 1993, this massive sacred building complex is Morocco’s most visited and admired religious attraction. For the mosque’s inauguration ceremony in August 1993, the guest list not only included Muslims but also Jewish and Christian dignitaries, thus making a statement to the world that this spectacular monument symbolized a tolerant Islam. The mosque’s white-green minaret extends 200 metres into the sky and proudly sets off the city’s skyline with a unique landmark and during the night, a 30-kilometre laser beam points in the direction of Mecca. It is little wonder that the Grande Mosque is a revered holy place and the new spiritual centre of the Moroccan Kingdom.