From a scary taxi ride through Casablanca to a truly magnificent piece of North African architecture, my visit to Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca was wonderful. This mosque is the second largest in the world after Mecca and is one of the few mosques that allows non-Muslims to enter.
  • Eugenia Loli-Queru plus 2 years ago
    Do they allow women in?
  • Jeffery Patch 2 years ago
    Do you mean at this exact mosque or all mosques in general? Either way, the answer is certainly yes. The traditional Muslim culture really does not disrespect women like we in the west believe. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but it's not supposed to. In my experience, they are more respectful towards women than here in the states.

    There are separate prayer areas for women and men though. One man explained to me the reason: the position they pray in (kneeling) would distract the men if the women were in front. Thus, the women are in the rear of the room, or in the case of the Hassan II Mosque, in low balcony-type areas to the sides. At first I thought this was treating the women as lesser people but then I realized that all they are doing is admitting their shortcomings, and working around them!
  • Eugenia Loli-Queru plus 2 years ago
    AFAIK, there are some mosques that don't allow women in at all, that's why I asked. I heard of such a story in northern Greece where there is a muslim minority. IIRC, they were shooting a movie, with some actors and actresses from Athens, and when started raining, they found refugee in the local Mosque close to the shooting ground. The muslims then made a big fuss about the women who entered the Mosque (they didn't mind the christian men actors), and that was all over the news for a few days...
  • Jeffery Patch 2 years ago
    Interesting Eugenia. I've never heard that but to be honest, I'm no expert on Islam. My experience in Morocco was great and their attitudes towards women were very respectful. I did a little googling and found this link. You might be interested in reading it if this topic piques your curiosity.
    islamfortoday.com/womeninmosques.htm
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  • jkvalko plus 2 years ago
    Jeffery: Beautiful capture of the mosque. I wasn't aware that this was the second largest in the world.

    Eugenia: I'm going to assume the reason they didnt want they women inside was perhaps they werent modestly dressed.
  • Jeffery Patch 2 years ago
    Thank you. Since posting this, I have heard it's the second largest, and the third largest. Who knows, but close enough for me :)
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