::: Star Weekend Magazine :::

Photo Feature

Morocco Chronicles

Bearing historic landmarks of Islamic heritage, Morocco's culture is a mixture of English and French rules with dominant contribution of the Barbars the African Muslims. Muslims and Jews live in the Moroccan cities where the cost of living is moderate and the weather hot and dry. Dr. Mahboob Ali, a cardiologist with a passion for photography captures the charm of Morocco during his 10-day tour from the city of Casablanca to Marrakech, touching down capital city Rabat and Fez.

1. An internal courtyard of the Bou Inania Medrassa at Fez. Built in between 1350 and 1355 AD by Sultan Abu Inan, it was at one and the same time a Koran School and a place of prayer. The door is in bronze and steps and courtyard in onyx and marble.

2. The Tour Hassan looks down on Rabat. The esplanade of the Hassan mosque and tower, Rabat.

3. Typical scene in the dyers and tanners quarter in Fez. Sheepskin and goatskin that have been dyed are piled up on the terraces.

4. Essaovra, the city appears by magic, surrounded by water, sand and flora, white and shining. The name comes from Al Souirah, which, in Arabic means “small fortress” surrounded by walls. It was called Magador, possibly a translation of Spanish from Berber word Amogdul (the protégé).

5. Place Jemaa el-Fna at dusk. The nerve centre of Marrakech considered to be one of the most original and attractive oriental squares. With its large 150x100 metres, it was declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site. Jugglers, magicians, snake charmers, Koran readers, storytellers, acrobats, musicians, singers and palmists all gather here at dusk.

6. The door at Medrassa Bou Inania built in between 1350 and 1355 by Sultan Abu Inan.

7. Room with a View
The Hassan II mosque seen from a hotel room. The mosque, a jewel of modern architecture, is situated on one of the most populated quarters of Casablanca with a minaret over 200 m in height. Like the movie it forever shares the name with, Casablanca seems to be nothing more than a hotel, a bar and an airport to most tourists. Founded in the 18th century over a ruins of a more ancient town called Anfa, Casablanca has grown from a trading port to the economic powerhouse of Morocco. Downtown Casablanca is a bustling city of boulevards and pedestrian walks.