Agadir marble, Tafraoute granite and Murano glass are incorporated into the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca's Sour Jdid district, the world's biggest religious monument after Mecca and Prophet's Mosque. A laser beam shines nightly towards Mecca from the minaret.
The late King Hassan II announced his desire for Casablanca to "be endowed with a large fine building of which it can be proud until the end of time" and hired French architect Michel Pensau to carry out his wishes. It was built over five years in the 1980s by 6000 devoted craftsmen.
Although of traditional style, the structure takes every advantage of the benefits of technology. The mammoth roof is controlled electrically, rolling back so the faithful can "contemplate God's sky".
As a non-Muslim, it is a great privilege to be allowed to wander around inside and take photos, as this is rare in Morocco. However, visitors can only explore with the help of a guide.