
First, twinkling golden lights
then, brown haze
then, gray concrete
then, yellowish paint.
The first green to appear was military.
The first orange, on a billboard advertising cellphones.
Then, a rose colored minaret pierced the dull air.
The streets were dotted with black (the color of choice for Muslim women). But the Moroccan women were rather non-commital in their dress, as if undecided whether to be Muslim or western, or both, or neither, or something in between. The men had clearly decided – Nike sweatshirts and denim jeans.
Anyone arriving Casablanca by sea would be torn between two first impressions. A filthy port city, like any other filthy port cities in the world. Or, is it Mecca???




Speaking of the sea, the waves crashing the shores surrounding the mosque were no less impressive, adding blue to compliment the blue tile of the stunning mosaics of the Hassan II mosque.

Created by over 6,000 traditional Moroccan artisans, each small piece is insignificant in itself, yet part of a greater design which, without that piece, would not be whole.




While traditional religious art form adorns the Hassan II Mosque, there are also some rather impressive modern touches. Heated floors, electric doors, a sliding roof, and, from atop the tallest minaret in the world, a laser beam which shines through the night sky toward Mecca. The entire construction was completed in less than a decade, and many say the Hassan II Mosque will earn its place as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World.

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