Prayer Times in Casablanca.

Casablanca prayer times: sample schedule (summer)

The following times are representative of a summer day in Casablanca during Morocco's daylight saving period (UTC+2). Times shift daily, so use FivePrayer for today's exact schedule.

Prayer	Approximate Time (Summer)
Fajr	4:12 AM
Sunrise (Shuruq)	5:57 AM
Dhuhr	1:30 PM
Asr	5:07 PM
Maghrib (Iftar)	8:52 PM
Isha	10:31 PM

Casablanca sits at 33.57 degrees north latitude and 7.59 degrees west longitude, directly on the Atlantic coast. At this latitude, the summer Fajr is early but not as extreme as in northern European cities. The long summer evenings push Maghrib past 8:00 PM, and Isha follows at around 10:30 PM in June and July.

Morocco's official prayer calculation

Prayer times in Morocco are the exclusive domain of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs (Ministere des Habous et des Affaires Islamiques). The ministry publishes an annual national prayer timetable that all mosques are required to follow. This is unusual in the Muslim world: few countries mandate a single, legally binding timetable across all their mosques.

The method follows the Maliki school of jurisprudence, which is the dominant legal school in Morocco. Asr is calculated using the standard shadow-length method (shadow equals object length plus the shadow at midday), placing it earlier than the Hanafi calculation that doubles the shadow. Isha is set at approximately 90 minutes after Maghrib by default, though astronomical calculation is used when that produces an earlier result.

Morocco's time zone since 2018: In October 2018, Morocco made a permanent switch so that its winter time is UTC+1 rather than UTC+0. Previously, Morocco observed Western European Time (WET, UTC+0) in winter and Western European Summer Time (WEST, UTC+1) in summer. Now the country maintains UTC+1 in winter and advances to UTC+2 in summer. One important exception: during Ramadan, Morocco temporarily reverts to UTC+1 even if the month falls in summer. This means prayer times, local schedules, and international travel itineraries can shift by one hour at the start of Ramadan and again at its end. FivePrayer handles this automatic Ramadan time-zone adjustment.

Hassan II Mosque: the world's third largest mosque

The Hassan II Mosque (Masjid al-Hasan al-Thani) is undoubtedly Casablanca's most recognisable landmark and one of the most spectacular mosques ever built. Constructed between 1986 and 1993 under the direction of King Hassan II and designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, the mosque sits on a specially constructed promontory jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, fulfilling a Quranic verse: "His throne was on the water."

Key facts about Hassan II Mosque:

Capacity: The mosque can accommodate 25,000 worshippers inside and a further 80,000 on the outdoor esplanade, for a total capacity of around 105,000. The main prayer hall measures 200 metres by 100 metres and the retractable roof can slide open on clear days.

Minaret: At 210 metres, the minaret of Hassan II Mosque is the tallest religious structure in Africa and one of the tallest minarets in the world. A laser beam at its tip points toward Mecca, visible from the sea at night.

Prayer times at Hassan II: The mosque holds all five daily prayers and Friday Jummah. Jummah at Hassan II draws tens of thousands of worshippers. The adhan from its minaret can be heard across the city.

Non-Muslim visits: Hassan II Mosque is one of a small number of Moroccan mosques open to non-Muslim visitors. Guided tours run on most mornings outside prayer times. Visitors must dress modestly (women are required to cover their hair) and remove shoes before entering.

Other significant mosques in Casablanca

Mohammed V Mosque: Located in the historic downtown area near the Habous Quarter, Mohammed V Mosque is a graceful example of Moroccan-Moorish architecture. Built in the 1950s during the final years of the French Protectorate, it was one of the few mosques in Casablanca open to Moroccan Muslims throughout the colonial period, when many public spaces were segregated.

Al-Qods Mosque: Situated in the Ain Chock district, Al-Qods Mosque (Mosque of Jerusalem) serves one of Casablanca's denser residential neighbourhoods. Like most Casablanca mosques, it broadcasts the adhan at the government-mandated times over a public-address system.

Neighbourhood mosques (masajid hay): Casablanca's working-class neighbourhoods such as Hay Mohammadi, Moulay Rachid, and Sidi Moumen each have dozens of neighbourhood mosques where local residents pray in congregation. Jummah in these areas draws the entire neighbourhood together.

Ramadan in Casablanca

Ramadan transforms Casablanca completely. The city operates on a shifted schedule: businesses open late morning, many close in the early afternoon, then reopen after Iftar until well past midnight. The streets are quiet in the hour before Maghrib as families gather at home or at mosque Iftar tables, then erupt with activity after the fast is broken.

State television Iftar signal: Morocco's public broadcaster, 2M Television and Al Aoula, broadcasts the Maghrib adhan live each evening during Ramadan. This national broadcast is the standard signal for Iftar across Morocco. It is one of the most-watched moments of Moroccan television each year.

Harira and chebakia: The traditional Moroccan Iftar meal centres on harira (a hearty tomato and lentil soup), dates, chebakia (sesame and honey pastry), and milk or juices. In Casablanca, harira vendors set up street stalls in the hour before Maghrib, and the smell permeates every neighbourhood.

Tarawih: After Isha, mosques across Casablanca hold Tarawih prayers. The 20-rakat Tarawih is the norm in Morocco, following the Maliki school preference. Many mosques complete the entire Quran (Khatm al-Quran) during Ramadan nights. The 27th night of Ramadan (Laylat al-Qadr by common Moroccan reckoning) draws enormous crowds to Hassan II Mosque and throughout the city.

Practical prayer tips for Casablanca

Prayer rooms in public spaces: Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport has well-signposted prayer rooms (musalla) in all terminals. The major shopping centres (Morocco Mall, Twin Center, Anfa Place) also have dedicated prayer spaces. In the medina and Habous Quarter, mosques are within walking distance of most points.

Jummah dress code: Men attending Jummah in Casablanca should wear clean, modest clothing. A djellaba (traditional Moroccan robe) is common but not required. Shorts are considered inappropriate for mosque attendance. Women should cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothing.

Qibla in Casablanca: The Qibla direction from Casablanca is approximately 97 degrees east from true north. This surprises visitors who assume the Qibla from North Africa would point southeast. Because of the globe's curvature, the great-circle route from Morocco to Mecca actually runs nearly due east. FivePrayer's Qibla compass calibrates this precisely.

FAQ

What calculation method is used for prayer times in Casablanca?

Morocco's Ministry of Islamic Affairs publishes an official national timetable that all mosques must follow. It uses a calculation based on the Maliki school, calibrated for Morocco's coordinates. There is no variation between mosques as in some other countries.

What time is Iftar in Casablanca during Ramadan?

Iftar occurs at Maghrib time each day. Morocco's state television broadcasts the Maghrib adhan live as the national Iftar signal. In summer Ramadan, Maghrib can be as late as 8:52 PM. In winter Ramadan, it falls around 6:00 PM. Note that Morocco temporarily reverts to UTC+1 during Ramadan even in summer.

What time is Morocco's UTC offset and does it change seasonally?

Since 2018, Morocco's winter base is UTC+1 (not UTC+0 as before). It advances to UTC+2 in summer. During Ramadan, it temporarily reverts to UTC+1 regardless of season. FivePrayer handles this adjustment automatically.

Can you visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca?

Yes. Hassan II Mosque offers guided tours to non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times, usually in the morning. Modest dress is required and shoes must be removed. The tour includes the main prayer hall, hammam, and library.

What is the Qibla direction from Casablanca?

Approximately 97 degrees from true north, almost due east. The great-circle route from Morocco to Mecca runs nearly eastward due to the Earth's curvature. FivePrayer's compass shows the precise bearing for your exact location.