One of the most beautiful religious sites in Iraq is in the holy city of Najaf. The day we can visit this ancient country as ordinary tourists, I will not hesitate to visit this Muslim holy city that is located about 600 kilometers south of Baghdad. here is the Iman Ali Mosque, of Shiite Muslims, the third most important shrine in the world behind Mecca and Medina. History tells us that in the year 632 the Prophet Muhammad died and at his death a fight ensued over who would be the leader of Islam. There were two factions that in the end were called Shiites and Sunnis and here in Najaf the mosque is one of the first.
The mosque serves as a refuge for the tomb of Iman Ali, Muhammad's brother-in-law who was made a martyr and saint by Shiite Muslims. For this fact Najaf is, since Ali's death in 666 AD, his assassination, a site of religious pilgrimage. For the future Shiites this close relative of Muhammad had to be his natural successor and that is why they sanctified him. It is not known whether or not he is buried here, maybe his grave is in Afghanistan after all, but the truth is that the mosque is the third most important for the Muslim community and it is also a religious school. And another historical fact, the famous Ayatollah Komeini He lived in exile here between '56 and '78 leading the opposition against the Shah of Iran. Regarding the building, it has suffered a lot of damage and theft at the hands of the Iraqi government which has always been predominantly Sunni at least until the Iraq War.
The mosque is bathed in gold and has 7.777 pure gold tiles on its dome. It also has two 35-meter high minarets, also gilded and each with 40 thousand gold tiles. Inside it is beautiful and opulent, with mirrored tiles and silver walls and a valuable treasure made up of donations made to it by various sultans. Even if it is from the outside, it is worth seeing. I hope it lasts over time and we can get to know it without fear of stepping on this part of the world.
Photo 1: via The Sydney Morning Herald
Photo 2: via Taqrib News Agency