Restoration of quake-damaged historical monuments is pending as study phase continues

Six months after the earthquake that rattled five provinces in the Kingdom, questions are being raised again regarding the developments and progress of the restoration and reconstruction of historical monuments damaged by the natural disaster.

A trusted source within the Ministry of Culture emphasized that “there is continuous ministerial work regarding this matter, as the restoration and reconstruction of several monuments affected by the earthquake are still pending the end of the study phase, which is still ongoing.”

It noted that “these studies require more time due to their precision as well as technical and detailed requirements.”

The same source confirmed that “the Tinmel Mosque is one of the monuments concerned with these studies. It remains under the supervision of a joint technical committee between the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication.”

The source also noted that “parts of the Badi and Bahia Palaces have already been restored, given their importance to tourism in the city of Marrakech.”

It also explained that “the technical studies are expected to take some time to complete, given the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake. “There is a continuous effort to start the work, as this is a matter of royal directive,” it further stressed.

The said source denied the claims that “there is any slowness or lack of interest in the subject by the Ministry, noting that work on the remaining monuments will kick off immediately after the completion of the studies, as the necessary financial resources have been mobilized.”

These clarifications come after the ninth meeting of the inter-ministerial committee in charge of the general reconstruction and rehabilitation program for the areas affected by the Al Haouz earthquake.

During the meeting, which was attended by officials from various government sectors last Friday, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, stressed the restoration of the Saadian Tombs, the Badi Palace, the Bahia Palace, the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, and the Taourirt Palace.