Contemporary Morocco and Religion: Islamic, Jewish and Christian practices, 2010-2012
This work resulted in an exhibition comprising over 50 photographs taken in 2011 and 2012 during several artist residencies held at the Riad Denise Masson at the invitation of the French Institute in Marrakech. The riad, a site well-suited to the project, was for 60 years the home of Denise Masson (1901-1994), known as ‘the Lady of Marrakech’, a staunch supporter of ‘fraternal understanding’ between the three monotheistic religions and author of a translation of the Koran from Arabic into French (La Pléiade, 1967).
In the course of this project, numerous meetings with religious authorities and intellectuals enabled me to gain unique access to religious sites usually closed to non-Muslims as a result of a ban established in 1912 by Marshal Lyautey, the first French Resident General in Morocco. Among the sites shown are the great mosque of the Koutoubia and the stunning shrine of the great Sufi saint Sidi Bel Abbes.
In these photographs we also get a glimpse of morning prayers at the synagogue in the mellah of Marrakech, vespers at the oriental Catholic monastery of Tazert and Sunday mass at the Church of Essaouira.
The photographs testify to the history of Morocco as a meeting ground for the three monotheistic religions still practiced to this day on its soil despite important historic ruptures.
The great mosque of the Koutoubia, built in 1120 under the Almoravid dynasty, completed in 1162 under the sultan Abu Yusuf Yaqub Al-Mansur
Zaouia (shrine and tomb) of the great Sufi saint Abou-l-Abbes Sebti (1130-1207) built in 1605 by the Sultan Abu Fares, Marrakech, 2011
In the hope to gain good fortune, visitors who have made offerings sit by the tomb of the great saint Abou-l-Abbes Sebti, Zaouia Sidi Bel Abbes, Marrakech, 2011
Interior courtyard of the Zaouia Sidi Bel Abbes, Marrakech, 2011
Visitor to the Zaouis Sidi Bel Abbes, Marrakech, 2011
The Melkite Monastery of the Visitation located at Tazert, a village at the foot of the High Atlas, 2011
During vespers, the sisters of the oriental Catholic Monastery of the Visitation sing Psalms in both French and Arabic. A menohra casts a glow on the crucifix, Tazert, 2011
Tombs covered with zelij tiles in the cemetery of the Monastery founded by the Fransiscan friar Charles André Poissonnier, Tazert, 2011
The Saadian tombs, covered with zelij ceramic tiles, date back to the time of the sultan Ahmed al-Mansur Saadi (1578-1603), Marrakech, 2012
An entrance to the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter of Marrakech built in 1558, Marrakech, 2011
The prefect of the Marrakech region visits the Synagogue of Gueliz on Yom Kippur, Marrakech, 2012
Morning prayers at the Slat Laazama synagogue, Mellah, Marrakech , 2011
Opening of the Torah, Slat Laazama synagogue, Mellah, Marrakech, 2011
M. Jacky Kadoch and Aisha, the Berber keeper of the shrine of the great Jewish saint Rabbi David u-Moshe (16th century) with keys in hands. The shrine is visited by both Jews and Muslims, Agoïm, 2012
Mr. Jacky Kadoch and a pilgrim from Chicago singing Psalms before the tomb of the great saint Rabbi David u-Moshe (16th century), village of Agoïm, 2012
Choir of the Church of the Martyr Saints, Gueliz, Marrakech, 2012
Singing the praises of the Prophet at the Zaouia Sidi Bel Abbes, Marrakech, 2012
The artist Farid Belkahia stands in front of his project of urban sculptures honoring the seven protector saints of Marrakech, 2012
Marabout shrine of Sidi Bamoussa, Ounagha, region of Essaouira, 2012
Shrine of the Jewish saint Rabbi Shlomo Bel Hench (14th century), visited by both Jews and Muslims, village of Aghbalou, Ourika valley, 2011
Mr. Hanania El Fassi, keeper of the shrine of the saint Rabbi Shlomo Bel Hench for almost fifty years, village of Aghbalou, Ourika Valley, 2011
Ms. Ouaknin Masel, a resident of the Corcos mansion for low-income old age pensioners, Marrakech, 2011
Christian cemetery at the foot of the ramparts of the former Portuguese citadel of Mogador, today Essaouira, 2012
Jewish cemetery and shrine of the saint Rabbi Haïm Pinto (1749-1845), The tomb is visited by hundreds of Moroccans and foreign pilgrims on the saints hiloula, Essaouia, 2011
Wooden tablets with Quranic verses used to learn the Koran in a Berber village of the High Atlas, 2012
Young girls learning the Koran in a Berber village of the High Atlas, 2012
Little boys learning the Koran in the mosque of a Berber village in the High Atlas, 2012
The Muezzin of the Koutoubia walking towards the minaret to issue the call to prayer, Marrakech, 2011
Mr. Moulay Hassan Muezzin of the Koutoubia issuing the call to prayer, Marrakech, 2011
Father Jean-Claude Gons ringing the bells of NOtre Dame de l’Assomption by special authorization issued in 1986 on the occasion of the Pope’s visit to Morocco, Essaouira, 2012
Sunday mass at Notre Dame de l’Assomption, Essaouira, 2012
Living room of hotel L’Iglesia, former convent of the Spanish church Saint Anthony of Padua (16th century) in the former Portuguese citadel of Mazagan, now El Jadida, 2012
Former Portuguese church of the citadel of Mazagan, today El Jadida, 2012
Houses of the Mellah in front of the ramparts of the former citadel of Mogador, now Essaouira, 2011
Former Chapel of the Prado, Marrakech, 2012
Celebration of a mass by the bishop of Rabat at the Church of the Martyr Saints, Marrakech, 2012
Wedding at the Church of the Martyr Saints, Marrakech, 2011
Built in the 1850s, the Slat Lkahal synagogue is under restauration Its Baroque style altar was imported from Livorno, Italy, home of a prosperous Jewish community, Essaouira, 2012
Medersa Ben Youssef, jewel of the Hispano-Moorish style, was built by the merenid Sultan Abu al-Hassan (c.1288-1351), Marrakech, 2010
Khamsa worn by both Muslims and Jews for protection against the evil eye, 2011
Sidi Ben Youssef Mosque, Essaouira, 2012
Installation of the show at Institut Francais de Marrakech, Marrakech, 2012
Institut Français de Marrakech, Marrakech, 2012
Installation of the show at Alliance Franco-Marocaine, Essaouira, 2012
Alliance Franco-Marocaine, Essaouira, 2012
Mickaël Faure, director of the Alliance Franco-Marocaine and Anne de Henning, Essaouira, 2012
