King Mohammed VI Orders Opening of 26 Newly Built, Rehabilitated Mosques

Rabat - King Mohammed VI has ordered the opening of 26 newly built, reconstructed, and rehabilitated mosques across Morocco, a statement from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs announced on Monday.

The number includes nine new mosques, the ministry said, adding that 13 mosques were reconstructed, while four others were rehabilitated or brought back to life

The ministry did not unveil further details about the location of the mosques, whose combined capacity is estimated at 15,000.

The ministry said that it invested a total of MAD 147 ($15.15 million) to build, reconstruct, and rehabilitate the mosques.

Morocco is home to over 50,000 mosques.

The ministry’s communique came just a week ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, worshipers flock to mosques to perform the five daily prayers in addition to Taraweeh (extra evening prayers).

Mosques are open across Morocco as part of the country’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions the government announced last year.

It remains to be seen, however, whether Morocco will allow Taraweeh at mosques.

Although Morocco opened mosques during Ramadan 2021, the country prohibited Taraweeh as part of the COVID-19 preventive measures.

The Islamic ministry is yet to announce whether Taraweeh is allowed in Ramadan 2022.

The ministry will also unveil the official date of Ramadan over the weekend.

Astronomers expect the holy month to start on April 3 in Morocco.

Source: Morocco World News.