Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

Humphrey Bogart might have come here for the waters ("What water?  We are in the desert!") but I am here for the great Hassan II Mosque. 
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The Hassan II Mosque sits right at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, half of it built on reclaimed land. 


到摩洛哥除了是因為電影「Casablanca 」之外，哈桑二世清真寺 (Hassan II Mosque) 亦是一個要到 Casablanca  的原因。
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哈桑二世清真寺位於大西洋海岸線之上，由公眾捐款的興建工程由1986年開始，有半座建築物都是建在填海得來的土地上。

Construction began in 1986 (after the movie Casablanca was shot, so we can forgive Bogart), with funds donated by the public.  The minaret (the tall tower where daily calls for prayer is broadcasted) is the highest in the world, and the Mosque can accommodate over 100,000 worshippers.  Aside from being an architectural marvel, it is a structure of extreme beauty and a testament to the Islamic faith. 
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The central prayer hall, which I could not enter but only peeked from the outside, is elaborately designed, with huge chandeliers hanging from the roof.  Turquoise tiles are used to decorate the top of the minaret.
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There are few modern constructions that can rival the immensity of those of yesteryears, and this is one of them that can stand side-by-side with the greatest cathedrals and palaces.  Gin joints and cafes aside, when you come to Casablanca reserve a quiet moment for the Hassan II Mosque.​


哈桑二世清真寺可以容納十萬信眾同時參拜，並擁有全球最高的塔樓 (minaret)。塔樓是清真寺的獨有特色，因為在所有回教地方，經文會在每天五次的特定祈禱時間從塔樓廣播到城內每一個地方，信眾必須跟著廣播祈禱，不能錯過任何一次的祈禱時間。這座清真寺除了以龐大見稱外，它亦是一座精心設計的藝術品，並散發著一種令人敬畏的宗教色彩。
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雖然由於我不是回教徒而不能進入清真寺的中央大堂，但是從外面已經可以窺看到大堂的精心設計 - 一盞盞精緻的水晶燈從天光中央垂吊下來，回教味濃厚的藍綠瓷磚鋪滿整個塔樓，信眾虔誠地跪拜祈禱，這一切的配搭都令清真寺充滿了回教的莊嚴與神聖。
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十分少數的現代建築能與較早期的宏偉建築匹敵，哈桑二世清真寺是其中之一。當你下次到 Casablanca 的時候，即使你不是回教徒，都要預留一些時間來到這座偉大的建築物「朝聖」一下。