Buratha Mosque
| Buratha Mosque | |
|---|---|
جامع براثا | |
 The mosque in 2015 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shia (Twelver) |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Karkh, Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate |
| Country | Iraq |
  Location of the mosque in Baghdad | |
 | |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°21′03″N 44°21′40″E / 33.3508333°N 44.3611111°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | Modern Iraqi |
| Completed |
|
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,000–3,000 worshippers |
| Dome(s) | One |
| Minaret(s) | Two |
The Buratha Mosque (Arabic: جامع براثا) is a Twelver Shi'ite mosque, located in the Karkh district of Baghdad, Iraq. It is an important holy site for Twelver Shi'ites.[1][2][3] The mosque was allegedly built in the 7th century over an old Nestorian Christian monastery, and it is now located at least 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the Al-Kadhimiya Mosque.[4]
History
[edit]Local tradition ascribes the construction of the mosque to be in the 7th century.[3][4][5][6] The traditional account states that the mosque was formerly a monastery for the Nestorian Christians, managed by a monk named Hebar. When Hebar met with Ali ibn Abi Talib, he accepted Islam and converted the monastery into an Islamic place of worship.[3][5][6] The mosque in that form existed until the 10th century, when the Abbasid Caliph Al-Radi ordered the demolition of the mosque as an attack against the Shi'ite communities.[2] After the mosque was demolished, locals complained of the matter to the governor of Baghdad, whom rebuilt the mosque and inscribed the name of the Caliph Al-Radi there to prevent it from being demolished.[1][2]
Modern history
[edit]Renovations to the mosque happened in the years 1659 and 1933. In 1955, the mosque was completely rebuilt with local efforts, and two new minarets were introduced to the structure.[3][5][6]
2006 bombing
[edit]In 2006, three suicide bombers, two out of three disguised as women, detonated themselves in the mosque compound, leaving 85 dead and 160 wounded.[7] The attack was also a targeted attack against the Iraqi politician Jalaluddin al-Saghir, who was present in the mosque at the time as its main preacher. However, Saghir was not harmed by the attacks.[8]
Religious significance
[edit]The Buratha Mosque is a significant holy place for Twelver Shi'ites due to its association with Ali ibn Abi Talib. It is narrated in Shi'ite holy books that Ali rested here after a fight with the Khawarij. Another miraculous event reported by the Shi'ites is that Ali struck a stone in the floor of the mosque, which revealed a fresh spring.[3][5][6]
Christian significance
[edit]Some have believed that the rock in the mosque belongs to the Virgin Mary.[3][5] It is also believed that Patriarch Abraham and subsequent Patriarchs after him prayed at the site, and one of such Patriarchs is buried in the mosque.[4]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad (n.d.). "What is the history and significance of Masjid Buratha in Baghdad?". Al-Islam.org. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Masjid Buratha Baghdad". DUAS.org. n.d.
- ^ a b c d e f جامع براثا ومقام الإمام علي (عليه السلام) - موقع قسم الشؤون الدينية - العتبة العلوية المقدسة. tableegh.imamali.net (in Arabic). Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Historic perspective of Al-Buratha mosque – International Shia News Agency". February 4, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e التعريف في الجامع والروايات التي تخصه. جامع براثا (in Arabic). Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d إطلالة تاريخية مختصرة عن تاريخ جامع بُراثا الشيعي , كهف العجائب، (in Arabic). July 14, 2017. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ "Dozens die in Iraq mosque attack". BBC News. April 7, 2006. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ "Life in Iraq: Day at a glance". BBC News. April 7, 2006.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Buratha Mosque at Wikimedia Commons
| Baghdad |
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|---|---|
| Basra |
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| Fallujah | |
| Karbala | |
| Kufa-Najaf | |
| Mosul |
|
| Samarra |
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| Other cities | |
| Former | |
