Today was the first day of my Moroccan journey after dropping in Casablanca, and I must say, the drive from the airport to the Hassan II Mosque was captivating. The roads had a Mediterranean feel to them, lined with many old villa-styled buildings in open fields. I expected the scenery to be more dry and arid, but I was surprised to see many patches of greenery throughout the drive. As we got closer to the city, I saw the mix of old, traditional architecture with modern buildings in the making. Construction seemed to be everywhere. I was surprised by the amount of projects and development, but it goes to show Moroccan’s commitment to revolutionizing old customs that reflect modernity.

I was even more amazed when we arrived at the Hassan II Mosque. If you were to look this building up, you would probably assume it has been around for hundreds of years. The stunning mosaic patterns and marble structure makes it seem like the building came straight out of the Ottoman Empire. To everyone’s surprise, it was actually built in the 1990s. When I stepped in, the mosque reminded me of a French cathedral, and on the tour I learned it was designed by a French architect, which goes to show that strong connection these two nations have. The creation of the building was sourced mainly locally with the exception of stained glass, imported from Italy. The most interesting thing I took away from the tour was how they use hidden technology and mechanics to operate the mosque. The entire roof can open and many doors that weigh 10000+ kg operate by using advanced mechanical systems. This building was extraordinarily deceiving and it was such an amazing experience to Moroccan culture, where old customs meet innovation.