Located in the Roches Noires neighborhood of Casablanca, Morocco, Al-Quds Mosque offers you a fascinating glimpse into the city's evolving architectural and cultural history. Originally constructed in 1920 as a church known as Église de Sainte Marguerite, the building was founded by Eugène Lendrat, who also established the surrounding neighborhood. When you look at its structure, you will notice a striking Neo-Gothic style.
This design choice was directly inspired by Église Saint-Martin de Pau, an 1860 church built by Émile Boeswillwald in Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. Following Morocco's independence and during the Moroccanization policies of Hassan II in 1981, a mass exodus of Europeans occurred, leading to the conversion of this historic Christian house of worship into an active mosque. You should visit to appreciate how this unique site seamlessly bridges European architectural influence with contemporary Moroccan identity.
As you explore the area, you can admire how its soaring Neo-Gothic features have been repurposed into a local Islamic site of worship, making it a truly distinctive stop during your travels in Casablanca.
What to see at Al-Quds Mosque
- Distinctive Neo-Gothic architecture converted into an active mosque
- Founded in 1920 by Eugène Lendrat, the developer of Roches Noires
- Replicated from the 1860 Église Saint-Martin de Pau in France
- Transformed into Al-Quds Mosque in 1981 during Moroccanization
Visiting tips
Take time to admire the building's exterior Neo-Gothic architectural details that reflect its past as a 1920s French church.
How long: 1 hour · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Al-Quds Mosque is easy to reach on Casablanca’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Hassan II Mosque and Museum of Moroccan Judaism. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Casablanca travel guide.
See the full Casablanca travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.