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
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
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
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
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
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
References
- ^ 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
Media related to Buratha Mosque at Wikimedia Commons