Al Haouz Recovery: Morocco to Restore 2,516 Damaged Religious Buildings by End of 2026

Rabat – Morocco has reopened 1,239 mosques affected by the Al Haouz earthquake to worshippers, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq announced on Tuesday. 

Speaking during a religious ceremony in Rabat marking “Mosque Day,” the minister said the reopened mosques were either stable after inspection or repaired by the ministry and local donors. Out of the 2,217 mosques damaged by the earthquake, more than half are now accessible for prayers.

Toufiq explained that the special reconstruction program covers a total of 2,516 religious buildings, including 2,217 mosques and 299 zawiyas and mausoleums. The overall budget for repairs is set at MAD 1.2 billion.

He added that the ministry is currently working on restoring 754 buildings, with 530 more projects to begin before the end of this year. Work on another 1,225 buildings will start at the beginning of 2026, with the goal of completing all restorations by the end of that year.

The minister also noted that since the launch of the national program to improve prayer spaces, 2,057 closed mosques have been reopened across the country, with 533 of them still under repair.

The devastating earthquake that struck Morocco in September 2023 left behind a trail of destruction and claimed the lives of thousands. The quake damaged infrastructure and buildings, including houses, schools, and mosques.

Reconstruction efforts are still underway, with the government saying they are in their final stages, especially regarding housing. However, as the second anniversary of the disaster just passed, Morocco’s streets were filled with protestors expressing dissatisfaction with the progress, calling out that survivors are still living in tents and there are large disparities in how support is allocated. 

Toufiq stated that King Mohammed VI pays special attention to mosques, their architectural heritage, and Islamic arts to ensure that worshippers find a peaceful and spiritual environment.

He said the ministry is following a clear strategy based on scientific planning and cooperation with all partners, including donors, to safeguard Morocco’s religious identity, preserve traditional mosque architecture, and meet the growing needs for places of worship.

The minister also noted plans to create a sustainable management model for mosques, introduce digital systems for mosque administration, and honor traditional craftsmen who contribute to mosque building and decoration.