The focal point of the commemorations at Karbala during Muharram and
visited by millions of Shi'a from around the world. It was first built in 61 AH/680AD
following the battle of Karbala where the Imam Husayn and his followers were
massacred by enemy troops.
Courtyard
Situated in between the two shrines, this area has in times past housed old buildings and markets including two religious schools but
was demolished in the late 1970's and is now an open courtyard with plants and palm trees.
Shrine of Al - Abbas
Similar to the shrine of Al - Husayn but a bit smaller, this holy place for Shi'a Muslims was built at the spot where the
massacre at Karbala occurred in AD 680. Al Abbas, also known as the 'water bearer', was the brother of the Imam Husayn who was ambushed and killed
as he tried to bring water back to Husayn's camp.
Al Husaynyah River/Nahr Huayniyah
One of the many braches flowing from the Euphrates river. This was the river that the camp of Husayn was cut
off from by Yazid's troops during the battle of Karbala.
Ibn Fahid's religious school
One of the most famous and well respected schools in Iraq, the school was built some 440 years ago following the death of Ibn Fahid. It is frequented
by Shi'a Muslims from all over the world.
Al Makhayam
Believed to be the original place of the camp of the Imam Husayn, it has historically served as the focal point for Shi'a Muslims to
visit during Muharram. Here the commemoration took the form of theatrical plays evoking the martyrdom of the Imam Husayn and his followers. It still
retains tremendous religious and historical significance for Shi'a Muslims.
