Imam Husayn Shrine

Imam Husayn's Shrine
Shrine of Imam Husayn ibn Ali
Basic information
Location	Karbala, Iraq
Geographic coordinates	32°36′59″N 44°01′56″E / 32.616365°N 44.032313°E / 32.616365; 44.032313Coordinates: 32°36′59″N 44°01′56″E / 32.616365°N 44.032313°E / 32.616365; 44.032313
Affiliation	Islam
Country	Iraq
Architectural type	Mosque

The Maqam al-Imam Al-Ḥusayn ibn ‘Ali (Arabic: مَقـام الإمـام الـحـسـيـن ابـن عـلي‎‎) is the mosque and burial site of Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali, the third Imam of Shia Islam, in the city of Karbala’, Iraq. It stands on the site of the Mausoleum of Imam Husayn, who was a grandson of Muhammad, near the place where he was martyred during the Battle of Karbala’ in 680 C.E.. The tomb of Imam Husayn is one of the holiest places for Shi‘ites, 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 Imam Husayn'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.

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 Imam Husayn is enclosed within a metal-mesh like structure, found directly beneath the golden dome. On 5 March 2013 the process of replacing the zarih (metal mesh like structure) over the tomb of Imam Husayn Ibn Ali was completed and the new zarih inaugurated.Al Abbas Mosque is located nearby. In the coming years the shrines historic dome is set to be replaced with a modern steel framed dome, the project has been met with controversy especially by historic preservationists as it would severely distort the shrines historic integrity and character.