Basra

- Basra was the first city built by Muslims outside the Arabian Peninsula, in the 14th year of Hijrah, and for centuries it remained a destination for many merchants, students of science and seekers of knowledge, so its wealth included the remains of thousands of famous figures and figures during 1400 years.

To the southwest of this ancient city lies the city of Al-Zubayr, which was known as a rest stop for travelers, next to the tomb of the great companion Al-Zubayr bin Al-Awwam.

Then, over time, it turned into a small town that Arab tribes from the south and north came to and settled in, so that at the end of the Ottoman era it became more like an emirate ruled by sheikhs delegated from the governor of Basra.

Abdul Qadir Mahmoud, one of the shop owners in the city market, says that the mosque has been linked to their conscience since childhood, and they used to resort to it when the security conditions deteriorated for protection, especially after 2003, which earned it great symbolism among the people.

Meanwhile, Muhammad al-Saadoun, a resident of the city, calls for transforming the mosque into a destination for religious tourism, especially for those coming from outside Iraq, which would contribute to making it more known to the world, reviving the local economy, and creating job opportunities for its youth who suffer from unemployment.

The tomb of the companion Al-Zubayr bin Al-Awwam from the inside (Al-Jazeera)

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The residents of the town treated the Zubair Ibn Al-Awwam Mosque - which was built in 386 AH - with great reverence and respect, until it became an icon representing the city, and a meeting place for its people in their joys, sorrows and public occasions.

The imam of the mosque, Amer Al-Othman, tells about the connection of this city with the tomb of the companion Al-Zubayr bin Al-Awwam, and the appreciation he enjoys among them.

And in Ramadan every year the number of worshipers increases, especially in the last ten days, which witness a large presence of women to perform Tarawih prayers, and witnesses several occasions that are held in it, such as the revival of the 27th night of Ramadan “Laylat al-Qadr” and the ceremony of concluding the Qur’an with supplication and reading some religious muwashshahs, then bid farewell The month is marked by a central celebration in which all the mosques of the city participate, in a spiritual atmosphere to which the people are accustomed.

Al-Othman points out that the mosque received the attention of many kings and sultans, especially during the time of the Ottoman Empire, during which the city of Zubair was founded in the year 1003 AH, following the migration of scattered groups of Najd residents and their stability in the region, for economic, security, political and social reasons, as he put it.

Although it is one of the most important historical monuments in Basra, which dates back about 4 and a half centuries, the mosque has suffered in recent years from a lack of interest and slow restoration and reconstruction, but the coming period may witness more interest in it, according to Al-Othman.

The tomb of the follower Hassan Al-Basri in the cemetery located near the Zubair Mosque (Al-Jazeera)

Landmarks surrounding the mosque

The city includes a number of other historical and heritage monuments close to the mosque, such as the tomb of the companion Talha bin Obaid Allah, in addition to the cemetery of Hassan Al-Basri, which dates back to times preceding the founding of the city.

It includes in its rich the remains of large numbers of followers, scholars and writers who inhabited Basra through the centuries, among them Al-Hassan Al-Basri, Muhammad bin Sirin, Rabaa Al-Adawiya, the poets Al-Farazdaq, Badr Shaker Al-Sayyab and others. Many of the city’s residents continue to bury their dead there until today.

Throughout its history, the mosque was known for religious and awareness-raising activities throughout the year, according to the academic and heritage researcher Abdul Basit Al-Darwish, who adds that the people used to send their young children to learn the Holy Qur’an and to read and write there before the emergence of modern schools.

After the emergence of modern education, the mosque's circles continued to receive children of different ages to memorize the Qur'an and learn some religious rulings in the summer courses that are held every year.

Al-Darwish points out that the mosque was the basis on which the city was built, and its customs and traditions were linked to it, some of which disappeared and others remained alive. Ramadan nights in Zubair still have a different flavor and character than the neighboring cities, he said.

The heritage researcher tells about some of these traditions associated with the mosque to this day, including the celebration of the pilgrim before he goes to the holy lands and on his return. In a tradition that is still resisting to survive, which is what the elderly in Zubair district are keen to pass on to their children and grandchildren.