Islam: A Faith of Love, Peace, & Tolerance

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 During the first day of the program, we had the opportunity to visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. The mosque is the largest mosque in Africa and one of the largest in the world (Mosquée Hassan 2). King Hassan II developed the mosque as a “great spiritual and civilizational monument of Morocco” (Mosquée Hassan 2). Mosques are places of worship for those who follow the Islam faith. To follow Islam is “To declare that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is His messenger; pray; give charity; fast the month of Ramadan; and make the Hajj pilgrimage, if you can.” (Patel, 2018). While Islam has been defined in other ways by religious scholars, this definition seemed to encompass the basic tenets of the faith. This faith and way of is far from basic, in my opinion.

Visiting the Hassan II Mosque was the most intimate interaction I have had with the Muslim faith. The Mosque is a testament to the commitment Muslim people have to their faith. In touring the Mosque, I was enamored by the detail and artisanal talent required to create such a masterpiece. The Hassan II Mosque sits right along the Atlantic Ocean which was “inspired by the Qur'anic verse ‘the throne of God was upon the water’ [and] was a pioneering idea intended to invite believers who go to this mosque to remember the greatness of God who created the sea and the sky (Mosquée Hassan 2). While we were informed of the financial investments made to build the Mosque, I knew that money was not the only motivating factor for the craftsman who collaborated on this work of art. Every portion of the structure was attended to with detail that can only be ascribed to a love for one's faith. If I had to describe the feeling that overcame me as I toured the Mosque, it would be one of serenity. Although my faith is not Islam, I felt a connection to a higher power inside that cannot be expressed in words. I left with an appreciation for Islam as a faith of love, peace, and tolerance. I aim to lead a life guided by these tenets.


References

Mosquée Hassan 2. La Fondation de la Mosquée Hassan II de Casablanca. (n.d.). 

https://www.fmh2.ma/en 

Patel, Y. (2018). What Is Islam?. The Journal of Religion, 98(1), 114-120.

Comments

  1. Henry LueJune 1, 2023 at 10:24 AM

    Had a great time reading your post. It seems like you have learned a lot about Islam. I also feel a connection to a higher power whenever I enter a monumental place of worship. A good example would be the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. I thought it was interesting that both places exhibited a similar effect while being of different religions. Great post!

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  2. Jaime KellyJune 1, 2023 at 4:31 PM

    I agree, Joshua. The tenets of tolerance and acceptance of many cultures has been abundant in the influence the royal family has established in their kingdom. Walking through Hassan II Mosque, you tangibly could feel the reverence and spiritual connection the community in Morocco has with God, Allah. In this place religion is not just a day of the week but purpose of how to live a meaningful life. I wholeheartedly felt the same overwhelming peace and desire of the people to build a conduit of which they could connect with God, Allah. As a believer in God I felt His power there. Whether it is God through Christianity or Islam or Judaism I believe that opening the mosque to all people is an opportunity for all to commune together in this great place.

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  3. Ellie BassJune 5, 2023 at 3:28 PM

    I also felt in awe of the craftsmanship in the mosque. Such intricate designs and construction that worked day and night for over six years straight is unfathomable, but I like how you said that the motivator for such a project was not just money. The mosque made me realize the level of devotion Moroccan Muslims have for their faith, and it was such a privilege to see in person. I agree that it is an overwhelming but calming experience to step foot in such a place.

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  4. Micheline SalamaAugust 4, 2023 at 1:10 PM

    It was a fantastic experience to visit the beautiful Hassan II mosque. It shows how inclusive Morroco has become, letting people of a different faith discover the magnificent building. It is another way to embrace diversity and build a tolerant society. The respect and how much they value spirituality in the country inspired me.

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