Casablanca is a legendary city. But Abul-Hasanat Siddique has discovered something that’s not usually part of the legend: explosive street art. [Click the image above or scroll down to view the mini gallery.]

Experiencing a Moroccan city on foot is probably the best thing to do when you’re really looking to explore. If you want to take in the sights and sounds, get out of the taxi and start walking — a word of advice, though, bring some boots.

In Casablanca, by taking a stroll along the coast by the Hassan II Mosque, you will probably encounter young couples holding hands and enjoying each other’s company. Or you might see men who sit alone and gaze at the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean as the waves strike the shore — perhaps imagining what life is like on the other side.

By wandering down the busy boulevards of the city center, you will come across men and women of different ages, mingling over a cup of Moroccan mint tea and having a bite to eat, or perhaps even expats in a fancy French brasserie.

Or you might stroll through what is probably Casablanca’s equivalent to the “Orange County,” before heading to Morocco Mall, the largest shopping center in Africa. After which, you might pass by Ain Diab beach to see a young, female surfer as she wipes down her board — yes, not all Arab and Muslim women wear hijabs (headscarves).

Then, when you’re done with all this — and when your legs are probably aching — you might hop along to the medina, or old city, and wander around the many rues (street), having passed the beautiful palm trees that grace the busy roads.

In these streets, by the souq (market), there’s plenty of graffiti that add color to the old white walls of this part of town. Having spotted the street art, and other similar pieces around town, I decided to take some snaps — well, that was until a man started to preach to me about not taking photos for religious reasons (or that’s what I took away from him speaking Moroccan Arabic).

As I said in an earlier article, the Middle East — well, and North Africa — is about far more than just bombs and bullets.

*[A version of this article was originally published by Your Middle East.]

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

Photo Credit: Abul-Hasanat Siddique

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