Where is karbala

After the death of the Prophet Muhammad in AD , a conflict broke out over who should succeed him as leader of Islam. Some later called the Shi'ites said it should be the Prophet's descendents, while others later called the Sunnis argued that the community should choose a leader.

As in all conflicts the matter was complex, but this was the basic difference that led to the separation between Shi'a and Sunni Islam that has endured to this day. Husayn's tomb became a place of pilgrimage immediately after his murder. Extreme devotees even argued that a pilgrimage to Karbala was equal to the Hajj.

Then as now, the death of Husayn was regarded as a powerful symbol for religious suffering and liberation from oppression. A mosque was built over Husayn's tomb in AD , and a successon of mosques have been built and destroyed on the site to this day. The original mosque was enlarged with another dome in but was destroyed in In , a sepulchre for Husayn's tomb was constructed of teak wood. The present mosque was built in the 11th century , with extensive reconstruction of the walls and dome in the 14th century.

Sunni rulers , among them Saddam Hussein, have regarded the themes of Karbala and Ashura as a potential threat and banned pilgrimages several times and even destroyed the shrines which have always been rebuilt.

In , the richly endowed shrines of Karbala were plundered and damaged by the Iraqi army. After the city rebelled against Saddam Hussein, 32 mosques, 10 religious schools, and 66 prayer halls were brutally destroyed. Even with Saddam removed from power, Karbala has continued to be a focus of sectarian conflict.

The Shi'a pilgrimage to Karbala, the second since Hussein was removed from power in Iraq, was marred by bomb attacks that killed and wounded hundreds.

Shi'a mosques and shrines tend to be very opulently decorated with precious metals and shiny surfaces, and the highly sacred Shrine of Imam Husayn is no exception.

The minarets and dome are covered in pure gold. Inside, Husyan's tomb is covered in gold and silver and sheltered by a vast dome covered in mirrored tiles. The screens are made of solid silver. A wide, tree-lined avenue leads from the Shrine of Imam Husayn to the Shrine of Abbas , Husayn's half-brother and the army commander who died with Husayn in the Battle of Karbala.

The entrance to the city is well protected and check points are working hard on every single car that gets into the city. There are one or two trains each week from Baghdad and Basra. Extra trains are available on special occasions. The Downtown Area is closed off and the entry of vehicles into the area of 1. Anyone else who wants to get in must put their car in a parking and get in either via the holy shrine buses or on foot. A new dedicated airport is under construction, but as of late it is unclear when it will open.

The nearest major international airport is in Baghdad. The areas around Karbala are rich in heritage and archaeological sites. A few sites have at least basic services for tourists, while you are left on your own when visiting others. You can buy khak-e-shifa. Some Shi'a Muslims consider it sacred and miraculous, and claim diseases can be treated with it. The restaurants are spread all around the city, especially downtown, and you can find whatever you desire of halal food at suitable prices.

Karbala is much safer than the western or central areas of Iraq, but even here it is important to always remain vigilant.