Architecture & Stories
Joined April 2023
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Jan 23
To highlight the scale once again - if you look closely (top right image), you will notice two men standing. They barely surpass the height of that tiny detail in that small corner of the roof.
King Hassan II didn’t just commission a monumental mosque - he intentionally used the project to revive, preserve, and modernize Morocco’s traditional crafts which were endangered in the 80’s.
This project revived traditional apprenticeship chains and centuries old technical methods/knowledge. All while advancing and adapting it to modern engineering and unprecedented scales.
Some also suggest he tackled rampant unemployment, while reviving domestic supply chains and industries.
Jan 22
Completed in 1993 as king Hassan II’s monumental gift to Casablanca. A city he thought was lacking in spiritual essence.
He said, “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.”
It took 6,000 traditional craftsmen 5 years to complete the Zellige tiling all over the mosque. And the effort of 35,000 men totalling 50 million hours of labour to complete the mosque.
The ceiling of the great hall sits at a height of 60 meters with 40 meter high arches below. To help visualize, you can basically fit a 20 story building beneath the carved ceiling. That also means it’s tricky to notice people standing inside. If you look to the bottom left of this image, you’ll notice a man in white standing there.
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Jun 12
Part of Morocco's charm is it evokes the mythical/biblical/religious idea of the ideal garden. A source of life and abundance bordering the inhospitable.
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Jun 11
Why is everyone against South Africa?
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Jun 3
O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of God is the most righteous among you. God is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.
Quran 49:13
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Jun 2
And the crown prince would extend that same degree of respect to his father, the king.
لا ينظر ولي عهد المغرب البالغ من العمر 22 عاماً حتى إلى أولئك الذين يحاولون تقبيل يده، بل ينخرط في محادثات طويلة مع أولئك الذين يكتفون بمصافحته.
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May 30
A window on the Giralda in Seville and a door to the Koutoubia mosque in Marrakech.
The Almohad touch is evident.
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May 30
Zaouiya of Sidi bel Aabass Sebti in Marrakech.
Old photo first seen on @oldmaghrib on IG
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May 29
The Greeks gave us the corinthian column.
Then the Romans gave us the composite column.
Then Moroccans gave them life.
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May 28
AI inspired by the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail in Meknes.
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May 28
Beauty is balance between order and chaos.
Too much order and you get:
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May 27
21st century hotels showcasing 10th century aesthetics.
📍Oberoi Marrakech
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May 26
- It was actually more poetic than that
لا بَأسَ بالغَالي إذَا قيلَ حَسَنٌ، لَيسَ لمَا قرَّتْ بهِ العَينُ ثَمَنٌ
There is no harm in a high expense when it amounts to beauty, (for) priceless is that what which pleases the eye
May 26
Madrassa Bou Inania. Fez 1350’s
When the craftsmen handed the Marinid sultan Abu Inan Faris the book of costs for one of his schools, he tore it up and said:
"What is beautiful is not expensive, too much cannot be paid for what pleases man."
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May 26
Madrassa Bou Inania. Fez 1350’s
When the craftsmen handed the Marinid sultan Abu Inan Faris the book of costs for one of his schools, he tore it up and said:
"What is beautiful is not expensive, too much cannot be paid for what pleases man."
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May 26
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Feb 9
📍Al Qarawiyin - World’s oldest continuously operating degree granting university, founded in 859 AD by Fatima al Fihri
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