The Al Askari Mosque in Samarra before and after the February 2006 bombing.

Al-`Askarī or the `Askariyya Mosque/Shrine (Arabic: مرقد الامامين علي الهادي والحسن العسكري; transliterated: Marqad al-Imāmayn `Alī l-Hādī wa l-Ħassan al-`Askarī) is a Shī`a Muslim holy site located in the Iraqi city of Samarra 60 miles from Baghdad. It is one of the most important Shī`ite mosques in the world, built in 944.^[1] Its dome was destroyed in February 2006 (see al-`Askarī Mosque Bombing). Image File history File links Beforesmarraafter. ... Image File history File links Beforesmarraafter. ... The Arabic language ( ), or simply Arabic ( ), is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ... Due to the fact that the Arabic language has a number of phonemes that have no equivalent in English or other European languages, a number of different transliteration methods have been invented to represent certain Arabic characters, due to various conflicting goals: A desire to stay consistent with traditional usage... Shia Islam, also Shiite Islam, or Shiism (Arabic:شيعة, Persian:شیعه translit: ) is a denomination of the Islamic faith. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Turkish: Müslüman, Persian and Urdu: مسلمان, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of Islam. ... Map showing Samarra near Baghdad Sāmarrā (سامراء) is a town in Iraq (, ). It stands on the east bank of the Tigris in the province of Salah ad Din, 125 km north of Baghdad and, in 2002, had an estimated population of 201,700. ... A mile is the name of a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ... Baghdad ( translit: ) is the capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate. ... A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... Events City of Algiers (re)founded by the Zirid king Buluggin ibn Ziri Abu Yazid launches a rebellion against the Fatimids in the Aures mountains. ... The Al Askari Mosque bombing occurred on February 22, 2006 at approximately 6:55am local time (0355 UTC) at the Al Askari Mosque — one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam — in the Iraqi city of Samarra, some 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Baghdad. ...

The remains of the tenth and eleventh Shī`a Imāms, `Alī l-Hādī and his son Hassan al-`Askarī, known as "the two `Askarīs" (al-`Askariyyān), rest at the shrine.<sup>[2]</sup> It stands adjacent to a shrine to the Twelfth or "Hidden" Imām, Muħammad al-Mahdī. The `Askariyya Shrine is also known as the "Tomb or Mausoleum of the Two Imāms", "the Tomb of Imāms `Alī l-Hādī and Hassan al-`Askarī" and al-Hadhratu l-`Askariyya. The Shia Imam is considered by the Shia sect of Islam to be the rightful successor to Muhammad, and is similar to the Caliph in Sunni Islam only with regards to the aspect of political leadership. ... Imam Ali al-Hadi (September 8, 828 _ July 1, 868) was the tenth Shia Imam. ... Hasan al-Askari (Arabic: الإمام الحسن بن علي العسكري) (December 6, 846 – January 1, 874), was the eleventh Shia Imam. ... Mohammad al-MahdÄ« () (or Muhammad ibn Hasan ibn Ali) is, according to Twelver Shias, the twelfth Imam and the Mahdi, a figure considered by both Sunnis and Shias to be the ultimate saviour of mankind. ...

Also buried within the Mosque are the remains of Hakimah Khatun, sister of `Alī l-Hādī, and of Narjis Khatun, mother of Muħammad al-Mahdi.^[3]

Time Magazine reported at the time of the Al Askari Mosque bombing that “al-Askari [is] one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, exceeded in veneration only by the shrines of Najaf and Karbala. Even Samarra's Sunnis hold al-Askari in high esteem. The expression 'to swear by the shrine' is routinely used by both communities". ^[4] The Al Askari Mosque bombing occurred on February 22, 2006 at approximately 6:55am local time (0355 UTC) at the Al Askari Mosque — one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam — in the Iraqi city of Samarra, some 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Baghdad. ...

History

The Imāms `Alī l-Hādī (also known as an-Naqī) and Hassan al-`Askarī lived under house arrest in the part of Samarra that had been Caliph al-Mu'tasim's military camp (`Askaru l-Mu'tasim). As a result, they are known as the `Askariyyān ("Dwellers in the Camp"). They died and were buried in their house on Abī Ahmad Street near the mosque built by Mu'tasim.^[5] A later tradition attributes their deaths to poison. Imam Ali al-Hadi (September 8, 828 _ July 1, 868) was the tenth Shia Imam. ... Hasan al-Askari (Arabic: الإمام الحسن بن علي العسكري) (December 6, 846 – January 1, 874), was the eleventh Shia Imam. ... Caliph is the title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Abu Ishaq al-Mutasim ibn Harun (أبو إسحاق المعتصم بن هارون , 794 – January 5, 842) was an Abbasid caliph (833 - 842). ...

The shrine around their tombs was developed in 944 by the Hamdanid governor Nasīr ad-Dawla and became a focus for pilgrims. It was developed and rebuilt several times in succeeding centuries,^[6] including, in particular, by Arslan al-Basasiri around 1053 and by Caliph an-Nasīr li-Dīn Allāh in 1209. Events City of Algiers (re)founded by the Zirid king Buluggin ibn Ziri Abu Yazid launches a rebellion against the Fatimids in the Aures mountains. ... Hamdanid Dynasty: Muslim Arab dynasty of northern Iraq (Al-Jazirah) and Syria (905-1004). ... An-Nasir (d. ...

Nasir ad-Din Shah Qajar undertook the latest remodelling of the shrine in 1868, with the golden dome added in 1905. Covered in 72000 gold pieces and surrounded by walls of light blue tiles, the dome was a dominant feature of the Samarra skyline. It was approximately 20 metres in diameter by 68 metres high. Nasser-al-Din Shah The Shah, on his European tour, in The Royal Albert Hall, London Nasser-al-Din Shah Qajar (Persian: ناصرالدین شاه قاجار; also Nassereddin Shah or Nassiruddin Shah) (July 16, 1831 - May 1, 1896) was the Shah of Persia from September 17, 1848 until his death on May 1, 1896. ... The metre, or meter (US), is a measure of length. ...

Bombing

Main article: Al Askari Mosque bombing

On February 22, 2006, at 6:55 a.m. local time (0355 UTC) explosions occurred at the mosque, effectively destroying its golden dome and severely damaging the mosque. Several men, one wearing a military uniform, had earlier entered the mosque, tied up the guards there and set explosives, resulting in the blast. Two bombs were set off^[7][8] by five^[9] to seven^[10] men dressed as personnel of the Iraqi Special forces^[11] who entered the shrine during the morning.^[12] The Al Askari Mosque bombing occurred on February 22, 2006 at approximately 6:55am local time (0355 UTC) at the Al Askari Mosque — one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam — in the Iraqi city of Samarra, some 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Baghdad. ... February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that leap second be merged into this article or section. ... Special forces or (sometimes colloquially and incorrectly) special operations forces (general term) are military units formed and trained to conduct missions of unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, reconnaissance, direct action, and foreign internal defense. ...

References

1. ^ Knight, Sam (2006). Al-Askariya shrine: 'Not just a major cathedral'. TimesOnline.co.uk. Retrieved on February 23, 2006.
2. ^ History of the Shrine of Imam Ali al-Naqi & Imam Hasan Al-Askari, Peace Be Upon Them. Al-Islam.org. Retrieved on February 23, 2006.
3. ^ Shrine of Imām al-Hādī and Imām al-`Askarī (ArchNet Digital Library)
4. ^ An Eye For an Eye, Time Magazine, February 26, 2006.
5. ^ Shrine of Imām al-Hādī and Imām al-ˤAskarī (ArchNet Digital Library)
6. ^ Al-jazeera
7. ^ Explosion destroys Shiite shrine golden dome. Ireland On-Line. Retrieved on February 23, 2006.
8. ^ Bombers strike Shia mausoleum in Iraq. IBN Live. Retrieved on February 23, 2006.
9. ^ Knickmeyer, Ellen (2006). Bombing Shatters Mosque In Iraq. WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved on February 23, 2006.
10. ^ Blast destroys golden dome of Iraq's shrine. HindustanTimes.com. Retrieved on February 23, 2006.
11. ^ Knight, Sam (2006). Bombing of Shia shrine sparks wave of retaliation. TimesOnline.com. Retrieved on February 23, 2006.
12. ^ Iraqi shrine bombing spurs wave of sectarian reprisals. CBC News. Retrieved on February 23, 2006.

February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Aljazeera picture gallery
• Images of the destruction: before and after
• BBC picture gallery
• BBC video
• NYT picture gallery