Imam Ali shrine
The Imām ‘Alī Holy Shrine, also known as Masjid Ali or the Mosque of ‘Alī, located in Najaf, Iraq, is the third holiest site for some of the estimated 200 million followers of the of Islam. ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, the cousin of Muhammad, the fourth caliph , the first Imam is buried here. According belief buried next to Ali within this mosque are the remains of Adam.Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib 13th Rajab, was the cousin and son-in-law of Islamic prophet Muhammad, ruling over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661.A son of Abu Talib, Ali was also the first male convert to Islam. consider Ali the fourth and final of the Rashidun (rightly guided Caliphs), while Shias regard Ali as the first Imam and consider him and his descendants the rightful successors to Muhammad, all of which are members of the Ahl al-Bayt, the household of Muhammad. This disagreement split the Ummah (Muslim community) into the Sunni and Shia branches.
Imam Hussein shrine
The Shrine of Hussein ibn Ali is one of the oldest mosques in the world and a holy site of Islam in the city of Karbala, Iraq. It stands on the site of the grave of Hussein ibn Ali, the second grandson of Muhammad, near the place where he was killed during the Battle of Karbala in 680 C.E. The tomb of Hussein ibn Ali is one of the holiest places outside of Mecca and Medina, and many make pilgrimages to the site. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the city to observe Ashura, which marks the anniversary of Hussein ibn Ali's death.
The Umayyad and Abbasid caliphs prevented construction of the shrines and discouraged pilgrimage to the sites.The tomb and its annexes were destroyed by Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil in 850-851 and Shi'a pilgrimage was prohibited, but shrines in Karbala and Najaf were built by the Buwayhid emir 'Adud al-Daula in 979-80.
Two main roads lead the visitor to Karbala. One is from the Iraqi capital Baghdad, through Al-Musails, and the other is from Najaf. At the city's entrance there is a row of houses decorated with wooden columns.
The boundary wall of the shrine surrounds wooden gates covered with glass decorations. The gates open into a courtyard separated into smaller rooms or precincts with many "Iwans" along the walls. The grave of Husayn ibn Ali is enclosed within a cage-like structure, found directly beneath the golden dome. Al Abbas Mosque is located nearby.
The Umayyad and Abbasid caliphs prevented construction of the shrines and discouraged pilgrimage to the sites.The tomb and its annexes were destroyed by Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil in 850-851 and Shi'a pilgrimage was prohibited, but shrines in Karbala and Najaf were built by the Buwayhid emir 'Adud al-Daula in 979-80.
Two main roads lead the visitor to Karbala. One is from the Iraqi capital Baghdad, through Al-Musails, and the other is from Najaf. At the city's entrance there is a row of houses decorated with wooden columns.
The boundary wall of the shrine surrounds wooden gates covered with glass decorations. The gates open into a courtyard separated into smaller rooms or precincts with many "Iwans" along the walls. The grave of Husayn ibn Ali is enclosed within a cage-like structure, found directly beneath the golden dome. Al Abbas Mosque is located nearby.
Abu Hanifa Mosque
The Abu Hanifa Mosque is one of the most prominent Sunni mosques in Baghdād, Iraq.
Abu Hanifa Mosque is built around the tomb of Abū Ḥanīfah an-Nuʿmān (often called "the Great Imam" the founder of the Ḥanafī madhhab or school of Islamic religious jurisprudence. It is located in the dominated al-Aʿẓamiyyah quarter of Baghdad to the northeast of the city.Imam Abu Hanifa died and was buried nearby in 105 AH / 767 AD. The small town of al-Adhamiya grew up around the shrine. In 459 AH / 1066 AD, the mosque was restored by Sharaf al-Mulk Abu Sa’id al-Khwarizmi, who added a large dome and constructed the adjacent Hanafi school.
Abu Hanifa Mosque is built around the tomb of Abū Ḥanīfah an-Nuʿmān (often called "the Great Imam" the founder of the Ḥanafī madhhab or school of Islamic religious jurisprudence. It is located in the dominated al-Aʿẓamiyyah quarter of Baghdad to the northeast of the city.Imam Abu Hanifa died and was buried nearby in 105 AH / 767 AD. The small town of al-Adhamiya grew up around the shrine. In 459 AH / 1066 AD, the mosque was restored by Sharaf al-Mulk Abu Sa’id al-Khwarizmi, who added a large dome and constructed the adjacent Hanafi school.
Old Churches and Monasteries
The Armenian Orthodox Church (Meskenta Church)
One of the oldest churches in Baghdad, known as Church of Meskenta and as the Church of the Virgin Mary, located in Midan Square off Al-Rashid Street.
It was first built in 1640 AD by the Armenians on a piece of land granted to them by the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV. Then it changed hands to the Nestorian Christians before it eventually went back to the Orthodox Armenians possession.
Every year, on August 15 special rituals are held in this church for the Assumption of Virgin Mary to heaven. The church is visited all year round by Baghdadis from various sects to present their offerings and gifts.
It is also known to people as the Church of Meskenta (Shirin) after the name of a woman died a martyr in the 5th century. Certain traditions related to local folklore are practiced there such as the Iron chain which some people put round their neck, where if it unlock automatically, prayer acceptance and wishes come true. This church was reconstructed in 1967 and maintenance works and extensions have continued in last few years.
The Latin Church (The Roman Catholic Church)
Built in 1866 near Shorjah in Al-Khulafaa Street. The site was used in 1731 by the Carmelite Fathers to practice their religious rituals in a small church. At that time, it was called the Temple or Monastery of St. Thomas; the apostle. The current church, completed in 1871, is shaped like a cross with towering dome about 32 feet high.
There are many statutes within the church and its walls are decorated with rare paintings. At the present, the church is at the disposal of Orthodox Copts working in Iraq. In the courtyard of this church lies the Iraqi scholar and linguist, father Ansatas Mary the Carmelite who was born in 1866 and died in 1947.
One of the oldest churches in Baghdad, known as Church of Meskenta and as the Church of the Virgin Mary, located in Midan Square off Al-Rashid Street.
It was first built in 1640 AD by the Armenians on a piece of land granted to them by the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV. Then it changed hands to the Nestorian Christians before it eventually went back to the Orthodox Armenians possession.
Every year, on August 15 special rituals are held in this church for the Assumption of Virgin Mary to heaven. The church is visited all year round by Baghdadis from various sects to present their offerings and gifts.
It is also known to people as the Church of Meskenta (Shirin) after the name of a woman died a martyr in the 5th century. Certain traditions related to local folklore are practiced there such as the Iron chain which some people put round their neck, where if it unlock automatically, prayer acceptance and wishes come true. This church was reconstructed in 1967 and maintenance works and extensions have continued in last few years.
The Latin Church (The Roman Catholic Church)
Built in 1866 near Shorjah in Al-Khulafaa Street. The site was used in 1731 by the Carmelite Fathers to practice their religious rituals in a small church. At that time, it was called the Temple or Monastery of St. Thomas; the apostle. The current church, completed in 1871, is shaped like a cross with towering dome about 32 feet high.
There are many statutes within the church and its walls are decorated with rare paintings. At the present, the church is at the disposal of Orthodox Copts working in Iraq. In the courtyard of this church lies the Iraqi scholar and linguist, father Ansatas Mary the Carmelite who was born in 1866 and died in 1947.
The Chaldean Church
A Chaldean Cathedral and a center of the Chaldean Patriach seat, situated in Ras Al-Grayyeh, near Wathba Square opposite of Shorjah market place, it is one of the largest existing churches in Baghdad. It was built on the grounds of a small church dating back to 1838 AD, and used to be called the Church of Mary Mother of Sorrows.
Its construction was completed in 1898, and later specious balconies were added. Baghdadi architecture excelled in making ornamental compositions of bricks on the external walls of the church. This church was reconstructed in 1967 where it was enlarged and had a cloister added to it.
The Syrian Catholic Church
The first church to be built by the Syrian Catholics in 1841, located in Ras Al-Grayyeh opposite of Shorjah market place between the Latin and the Chaldean Churches. Later on, it was named The Virgin Mary Church and was re-opened in 1863. The interior of the church as well as its altars are decorated with ornaments. Its main door is considered a masterpiece of workman ship and precision in wood engraving.
The Armenian Catholic Church
Situated at Al-Ghazal Souq in Al-Khulafaa Street. Its construction started in 1840 and completed in 1844. At the beginning, it was called Church of Savior's mother, then Church of Assumption. This church was partly reconstructed in 1883 and had its altar and doors renovated.
Its construction was completed in 1898, and later specious balconies were added. Baghdadi architecture excelled in making ornamental compositions of bricks on the external walls of the church. This church was reconstructed in 1967 where it was enlarged and had a cloister added to it.
The Syrian Catholic Church
The first church to be built by the Syrian Catholics in 1841, located in Ras Al-Grayyeh opposite of Shorjah market place between the Latin and the Chaldean Churches. Later on, it was named The Virgin Mary Church and was re-opened in 1863. The interior of the church as well as its altars are decorated with ornaments. Its main door is considered a masterpiece of workman ship and precision in wood engraving.
The Armenian Catholic Church
Situated at Al-Ghazal Souq in Al-Khulafaa Street. Its construction started in 1840 and completed in 1844. At the beginning, it was called Church of Savior's mother, then Church of Assumption. This church was partly reconstructed in 1883 and had its altar and doors renovated.
lalsh Yezidis religion
lalsh Yezidis religion temple, one of the oldest temples in history located north of Nineveh, about 45 kilometers near Shaykhan district .
imam moussa al-kadhim shrine
The Al-Kādhimiya Mosque is a shrine located in the Kādhimayn suburb of Baghdad, Iraq.
It contains the tombs of the seventh Twelver Shī‘ah Imām Mūsā al-Kādhim and the ninth Twelver Shī‘ah Imām Muhammad at-Taqī.
Also buried within this mosque are the famous historical scholars, Shaykh Mufīd and Shaykh Nasīr ad-Dīn Tūsi.
Directly adjacent to the mosque are two smaller shrines, belonging to the brothers who compiled Nahjul Balagha - Shaykh Radhi and Shaykh Murtadhā.
It contains the tombs of the seventh Twelver Shī‘ah Imām Mūsā al-Kādhim and the ninth Twelver Shī‘ah Imām Muhammad at-Taqī.
Also buried within this mosque are the famous historical scholars, Shaykh Mufīd and Shaykh Nasīr ad-Dīn Tūsi.
Directly adjacent to the mosque are two smaller shrines, belonging to the brothers who compiled Nahjul Balagha - Shaykh Radhi and Shaykh Murtadhā.
Maqam Abdul Qader al-Kilani
Abd al-Qadir al-Gilani (born the first day of Ramadan, 470, Naif, District of Gilan, Mazandaran Province, Iran, died 11 rabi usani 561 AH, in a small town of Gilan Province, 1077–1166 CE), was an Islamic religious figure, teacher, preacher and writer to whom Sunni scholars refer. Qadir is a patron saint of Kurds and is also held in veneration by muslims of the Indian subcontinent where followers may call him "Ghaus-e-Azam Al-Gilani was born in the latter part of the 11th century, CE. His father was Abu Salih Musa al-Hasani, a descendant of Hazrat Imam Hasan, the eldest son of Ali, Muhammad's first cousin, and the husband of Fatima, Muhammad's daughter. Al-Gilani's mother was the daughter of Abdullah Sawmai, a descendant of Imam Husain, the younger son of Ali and Fatima. Thus, Al-Gilani was both a Hasani and Hussaini.