Because saving human lives and caring for disaster victims is the priority, the Moroccan authorities have not yet recorded the cultural losses. Many buildings were destroyed or damaged, buildings belonging to Moroccan national heritage. This is the case of the legendary Koutoubia mosque, a symbol of the city of Marrakech which is now weakened.
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With our special correspondent in Marrakech, David Bache
Mouhssine Eliouj, tourist guide, starts all his visits with the Koutoubia mosque. And since the earthquake, with a particular emotion.
“ It dates from the 12th century. She has held up so much all these years. I was moved, I had goosebumps when I saw dust coming out of the Koutoubia windows. It’s a symbol, it’s the tallest minaret in Marrakech so it touches me a lot. I hope there is no major damage. »
In videos of the earthquake, we see the minaret wavering, a plume of smoke escaping from its top. The minaret of the Koutoubia mosque presents “ significant cracks », according to UNESCO. Elie Mouyal is an architect, specializing in traditional Moroccan buildings.
“ New cracks have appeared, but there were already some before. In the 1980s, the entire Koutoubia was lined with scaffolding right up to the top where sensors were placed and many Moroccan and European universities participated in monitoring the mosque for two years. Now, we must examine again to be reassured and to see if we intervene or not. Now, if we want to intervene, it will be extraordinarily complex. We touch it at the last moment, when we are sure of doing well. »
The Kharbouch mosque, on Jamaa El Fna square, was less fortunate, it partially collapsed. This is also the case for the Bahia Palace and that of El Badi, in the historic center of Marrakech. As for that of Tinmal, 100 km south of Marrakech, the jewel of Almohad culture from the 12th century, is nothing but ruins and dust.
► See also : Reconstruction after the earthquake in Morocco: the innovative approach of architect Elie Mouyal
For the first Friday prayer after the terrible earthquake in Morocco, the faithful flocked en masse to places of worship. Report in Casablanca from our correspondent, Seddik Khalfi.
May God grant eternal rest to those lost in this catastrophe. Let him accept them as martyrs. And may he grant patience to their families.
Six days after the earthquake, emotion and contemplation for the great Friday prayer