فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has launched an open call for tenders to rehabilitate a number of historic shrines and zawiyas in the city of Meknes, as part of a program aimed at preserving the religious and architectural heritage that forms a fundamental part of the city’s identity and spiritual history.
According to the technical data outlined in the project’s specifications, an estimated budget of approximately 10.09 million dirhams has been allocated for the restoration works, reflecting the scale and importance of the project. The program covers four shrines and six zawiyas located across different neighborhoods of the Ismaili capital.
The project concerns the shrines of Sidi Basri, Sidi Qassem Al-Bandouri, Sidi Massoud, and Sidi Zekran, in addition to the zawiyas of Sidi Salama, Hamadcha, Sidi Abdellah Ben Ahmed, Lalla Aïcha Al-Adawiya, Sidi Abdellah Al-Kasri, and Sidi Al-Harithi. These landmarks hold strong symbolic and religious significance for local residents, alongside their historical and architectural value.
The ministry, according to the tender documents, has placed particular emphasis on the preparatory phase, requiring competing companies to implement precise measures to protect sensitive decorative elements—especially those made of plaster, wood, and zellige—through appropriate insulation and protection methods, under specialized engineering supervision.
The specifications also stipulate the adoption of technical reinforcement plans subject to approval by accredited engineering firms, in order to ensure the stability and safety of structural components throughout the works, particularly for monuments dating back several centuries.
Regarding partial demolition operations, strict controls have been established to limit the use of mechanical equipment, with prior authorization required in exceptional cases, so as to avoid vibrations that could negatively affect intact sections of the buildings. The documents also require the documentation of demolition debris as property of the ministry, alongside the implementation of necessary safety measures to protect pedestrians and secure the construction site perimeter.
In line with the unique character of these monuments, the ministry has stressed the obligation to use traditional Moroccan building materials—such as stone, traditional brick, wood, and lime—and to adhere to traditional construction techniques, ensuring the restoration of these spaces without compromising their architectural authenticity.
This project is expected to contribute to the revival of several spiritual landmarks in Meknes and to enhance their cultural and religious prominence, amid growing interest in safeguarding tangible heritage as a lever for sustainable cultural and tourism development.
Source: Fes News Media
