Geography & context
Mohammedia (المحمدية) is a port city on Morocco's Atlantic coast, in the Casablanca-Settat region, between Casablanca and Rabat. Located at roughly 33.69° north latitude and 7.38° west longitude, on the ocean's edge, it has a Mediterranean climate with an oceanic influence: mild summers, temperate and humid winters. The former Fedala, renamed in honour of King Mohammed V, the city is known for its port, its industry and its beaches. Its coastal position gives its prayer times a relatively moderate seasonal swing.
History & religious heritage
Mohammedia was formerly called Fedala, an old anchorage on the Atlantic coast. In 1960, the city was renamed Mohammedia in tribute to King Mohammed V. It developed in the 20th century around its port and industry, notably oil refining, while keeping beaches and a famous royal golf course. Close to Casablanca, it is part of the great Atlantic conurbation. Religious practice here follows the Maliki rite, common to all of Morocco.
Religious life in Mohammadia
Religious life in Mohammedia sits within the Moroccan Maliki Islamic tradition, carried by a network of neighbourhood mosques spread from the old town to the seaside residences. The Friday prayer brings together a large crowd, and Ramadan is lived with a strong communal dimension. Several mosques bear names evoking divine attributes or gardens of paradise, such as Ar-Rahman or Riad Salam.
Hijri calendar & local specifics
As everywhere in Morocco, the Hijri calendar in Mohammedia follows rukyat, the official sighting of the crescent moon announced by the Ministry of Habous. This method can produce a one-day difference from the Saudi calendar, notably for Ramadan and the two Eids. During Ramadan, Morocco suspends summer time, shifting all prayer times by about an hour for the duration of the month.
Climate & effect on prayer times
The Atlantic coastal position and mid-range latitude (~33.7° N) give Mohammedia prayer times with a moderate seasonal swing. In winter, Fajr is observed around 06:20 and Maghrib around 17:50; in summer, Fajr falls around 04:30 and Isha around 22:00–22:30 depending on the method. The open ocean horizon makes the Maghrib marker very sharp over the Atlantic, and its times are almost identical to those of nearby Casablanca. The published times follow the Ministry of Habous method.
Notable mosques
Mohammedia has many mosques, from the old town to the seaside districts. Here are some of the most notable.
'Ar-Rahman' ('the Most Merciful') is one of the greatest names of God in Islam. A mosque in the Dar Salam residence.
'Radwan' means divine good pleasure, God's satisfaction with the believer. A busy mosque in the city.
'Riad Salam' evokes the gardens of peace. A mosque in the Riad Salam neighbourhood.
The 'white mosque', one of the city's recognisable places of prayer.
A mosque whose name echoes the famous Koutoubia of Marrakech ('the mosque of the booksellers').
Content verified on 18 September 2026.