Restoration of historic Tinmel mosque a priority after Morocco’s devastating earthquake

The Great Mosque of Tinmel, nestled in Morocco's Atlas Mountains, was among the many structures destroyed in the powerful earthquake that struck the region in September 2023.

Restoring the mosque to its former splendor is now a key focus for Morocco’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Ministry of Culture, according to a report by the Associated Press. 

Constructed in the 12th century using adobe-style bricks, the mosque is renowned for its elegant arches and intricate hand-carved moldings. It had been a prominent attraction in the mountainous region. At the time of the earthquake, the mosque was undergoing an 18-month restoration project. The quake caused the collapse of its iconic domes and pillars.

A year after the disaster, workers are combing through the ruins, searching for bricks and decorative elements that can be reused to restore the structure.

"We will rebuild it based on the evidence and remnants we have, ensuring it returns to its original state," Morocco’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, told The Associated Press.

Moroccan architects, archaeologists, and engineers have been enlisted to oversee the reconstruction. Italy has also contributed to the project, sending Moroccan-born architect Aldo Giorgio, who previously worked on Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque, one of Africa’s largest religious sites.

Meanwhile, residents in the area continue to feel the effects of the earthquake. Thousands are still displaced, living in makeshift plastic tents while they await government aid to rebuild their homes.

However, according to Mouhcine El Idrissi, an archaeologist collaborating with Morocco’s Ministry of Culture, there is no resentment toward the resources allocated for restoring the mosque.

"The people here have always revered the mosque as a testament to their rich spiritual and cultural heritage," he told the Associated Press.