Hassan II Mosque

Time to get out your guidebooks. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the largest in Morocco, and one of the few that non-Muslims can enter (though we unfortunately missed the visiting hours for the prayer hall). It's massive and absolutely stunning, and actually hangs out over the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest.  The tower is incredible, and makes this the tallest religious building in the world (though it doesn't nearly compare in physical size to the mosque in Mecca).  In addition to the mosque itself, the grounds are expansive and include a garden, a library of religious texts, hamman bathhouses, dozens of elaborately mosaic'ed fountains, and a traditional Islamic madrasa.  The site was only completed in 1993 (after 7 years of construction), as a self-commissioned (and self-titled) tribute to the the controversial monarch King Hassan II (a separate entry to be provided on this figure and his legacy).  The entirety of the grounds feature elaborate mosaic tiles, marble pillars, and intricately carved stone archways. The majority of the fountains were not running, though those nearest the prayer hall could be used for symbolic ablutions. Restoration and repair work are ongoing, and the seaside terrace is currently inaccessible to the public. We were present for the 5pm call to prayer, once of five times prayers will echo out across the city each day (a brief recording will go up shortly).