Imam Malik (Tajamouati) Mosque, Fes

An architectural heavyweight in Morocco’s spiritual capital, the Imam Malik Mosque rises near the Kennedy roundabout and goes by a friendlier name among locals: Tajamouati. That nickname points straight to its patron, Abdel-Hadi Tajmouati, who financed the project and left the city with one of its most important modern mosques. In terms of size and presence, only the Kairaouine Mosque outranks it, and with room for around 4,000 worshipers, this one was clearly built with big gatherings in mind.

Construction took a full decade, and the mosque finally opened during Ramadan on February 4, 1994—a symbolic moment that immediately anchored it in the city’s religious calendar. Architecturally, it strikes a careful balance. The design is modern and uncluttered, but it doesn’t break away from tradition. Moroccan mosque elements are all here, just interpreted with cleaner lines and a contemporary rhythm rather than heavy ornament.

The building is organized around four main entrances, one set aside specifically for women, reflecting both function and tradition. Inside, practical spaces take centre stage, including rooms for ablutions and other facilities that support daily prayer. Nothing feels excessive, but nothing feels missing either—it’s clearly designed for regular use, not just visual impact.

And regular use it gets. Throughout the day, the mosque fills and empties in steady waves, as each call to prayer draws large crowds. The atmosphere shifts from quiet focus to lively movement and back again, following the rhythm of the city itself. Beyond daily worship, the mosque also serves as a place of religious learning, reinforcing its role as more than just a prayer hall.

In short, the Imam Malik Mosque is not only a landmark you notice but the one you feel in motion, reflecting how Fes continues to build forward without letting go of its spiritual foundations.