description Al-Askari Mosque Overview
The Al-Askari Mosque in Samarra, Iraq is a significant Shia Islamic shrine housing the tombs of the Fatimid caliphs al-Mu’izz li-Dīn Allah and his son al-Mustansir Billah. Constructed in the 9th century, it's notable for its golden dome, rebuilt after extensive damage. It serves as an important pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims globally and is a key historical landmark within Samarra.
help Al-Askari Mosque FAQ
Who is actually buried in the Al-Askari Mosque?
The shrine contains the tombs of Ali al-Hadi and his son Hasan al-Askari, the tenth and eleventh Imams in Twelver Shia Islam. It does not house the Fatimid caliphs al-Mu'izz and al-Mustansir, despite that claim appearing in some catalog descriptions.
Why is the Al-Askari Shrine so important to Twelver Shia Muslims?
Two of the Twelve Imams are buried there, making it one of Shia Islam's most sacred pilgrimage sites. The complex is also associated with Muhammad al-Mahdi, the twelfth Imam whom Twelvers believe entered occultation.
What happened to the shrine's golden dome?
Bombers destroyed the celebrated dome in February 2006, an attack that intensified sectarian violence in Iraq. Another bombing in June 2007 destroyed the two remaining minarets, after which the shrine underwent extensive reconstruction.
Where is the Al-Askari Mosque located?
The shrine stands in Samarra, Iraq, a city north of Baghdad that was an Abbasid capital during the ninth century. Samarra's wider archaeological landscape is also recognized for major Abbasid monuments such as the Great Mosque and its spiral minaret.
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