Moulay IdrissMoulay IdrissLocation in MoroccoCoordinates: 34°3′15″N 5°31′38″W / 34.05417°N 5.52722°W / 34.05417; -5.52722Country MoroccoRegionMeknès-TafilaletPopulation (2004) • Total12,611Time zoneWET (UTC+0) • Summer (DST)WEST (UTC+1)The mosque of Moulay Idriss.Moulay Idriss or Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (Arabic: مولاي إدريس), a town in northern Morocco located at34°3′15″N 5°31′38″W / 34.05417°N 5.52722°W / 34.05417; -5.52722Coordinates: 34°3′15″N 5°31′38″W / 34.05417°N 5.52722°W / 34.05417; -5.52722, is spread over two hills at the base of Mount Zerhoun, the holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoune holds a special place in the hearts of the Moroccan people. It was here that Moulay Idriss I arrived in 789, bringing with him the religion of Islam, and starting a new dynasty. In addition to founding the town named after him, he also initiated construction of Fez, continued later by his son, Moulay Idriss II.