Juma'ah prayer is attended by almost all males. Friday is not the weekend in Morocco, but certainly very few shops are open in the Al-Medina Al-qadima the old city. Many attend the Kairouine Mosque as it one of the biggest mosques in Africa. The complex of buildings includes the Kairouine University.Some claim it is the oldest university in the world. Students attending the University had accommodation in the small rooms of the nearby medersas.
Islamic art flourishes in the mosques and medersas. Generally the interiors of these buildings have tile work from the floor till about half way up the wall. The upper part of the wall is delicately carved plaster work. While at the top of the wall is decorated ceder wood. However, in the Kairouine Mosque there is a simplicity where the walls are whitewashed plaster. As non Muslims can not visit mosques in Morocco and I have had the privilege to do so and wish for a compassionate understanding by all humans for each other, I made the decision to share some of my observations.
The Prayer Hall seen below is full for the Juma'ah Prayer.
 |
| The Prayer Hall |
However, the Islamic interior art is evident at the entries to the mosque and the two ablution pavilions. The photo below shows the delicate carved plasterwork and the decorative ceder wood of the ablution pavilion.
 |
| One of two ablution pavilions |
The exterior roof of the Prayer Hall and the ablution pavilions is a green tile. The two ablution pavilions are at each end of an open courtyard which also contains an ablution fountain in the centre. The water flowing from the top is for drinking while the water below is for ablution.
 |
| The open courtyard |
The atmosphere is one of serenity. Worship should be an experience that brings inner peace.
