DarrenHumphrys

Sallam 'lekum and greetings fellow travelers,

The tour times for Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque were recently changed, with the slightly complicated schedule now:

Time zone UTC (i.e. not during daylight saving)
Tours depart daily at 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm

Time zone UTC+1 (i.e. during daylight saving which commences at 2:00am on the last Sunday of March until 3:00am on the last Sunday of October, except during Ramadan when the time zone reverts back to UTC)
Tours depart daily at 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm

Ramadan (dates change every year according to the lunar calendar)
Tours depart daily at 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am

The cost is still 120dh, with payment accepted by cash or credit card. The below-ground ticket counter is located at the southern end of the mosque, where there are also clean toilets available. Footwear is to be taken off once you enter the mosque with your guide (plastic bags are provided) and respectful dress is required, but nothing too serious (cover your shoulders and knees). Photography (including flash) is allowed, while 'professional' videography is not.

The tour takes around 45 minutes and is the only manner in which non-Muslims are allowed to enter the mosque.

Happy travels,

Darren Humphrys

MinnBeef

The Hassan II mosque was my favorite thing I saw in Morocco. Casablanca itself is ugly, So I'd recommend spending a morning seeing the mosque and then getting out of Casa to your next destination.

Bedar

Darren, Thanks for posting this info. Folks should also know that this is the only mosque in Morocco that they can enter if they're not Muslims.

DarrenHumphrys

Further to your comment, Bedar. Non-Muslims can also visit the Tin Mal mosque which is a restored ruin, if there is such a thing. Let us also break the oft pre-conceived notion that the "no entry for non-Muslims" in Morocco is an 'Islamic' rule. It was actually instigated by the French during the Protectorate-era, with the Moroccans then deciding to continue the status quo upon independence. This is not a general rule practiced throughout the world.

MinnBeef

I second DarrenHumphrys' comment above. In Turkey, I was able to visit any mosque I liked, and must have visited at least a 1/2 dozen of them. It would have been nice to have had that same freedom in Morocco.

Bedar

Darren - Where is the Tin Mal mosque ? Have never heard of it. Yes, of course, I know that entry is allowed other places, but didn't know that it was the French who placed mosques off limits in Morocco. Interesting.

DarrenHumphrys

Hi Bedar,
The Tin Mal (often spelt Tinmel) mosque is visible from the Marrakech-Taroudant road, just past Ijoukak.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...h-atlas/276944