A Year After Devastating Earthquake, Morocco Rebuilds Historic Mosque

A year after a powerful earthquake devastated Morocco’s mountainous High Atlas region, the village of Tinmel is rebuilding not just homes, but a piece of their history – the Great Mosque, Arab News reported yesterday.

The nearly 900-year-old mosque, a marvel of North African architecture, was reduced to rubble in the September 2023 quake. The disaster claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including restoration workers who were reviving the mosque just months before completion.

Despite the immense personal losses, residents remain determined. Workers are painstakingly sifting through the debris, salvaging usable materials to rebuild the mosque as close to its original form as possible. 

The project holds deep significance for the community. The mosque was once a source of inspiration for renowned sites in Marrakech and Seville, and a pilgrimage destination. Its restoration symbolizes not just the revival of a cherished landmark, but of a neglected region.

The earthquake exposed longstanding disparities in the High Atlas. Poverty and illiteracy rates are high, and the region lacks basic infrastructure.  NGOs have called for a long-term plan that addresses these issues alongside reconstruction efforts. 

The government has pledged to rebuild with respect for local heritage and improve public services, promising “a well-thought-out, integrated and ambitious program” for the region’s future.

While challenges remain, the meticulous reconstruction of the Great Mosque offers a flicker of hope. It could not only revive a glorious past but also symbolize a renewed commitment to the people and future of Morocco’s forgotten mountains.