Najaf
Najaf
ٱلنَّجَف Najaf al-Ashraf, Baniqia | |
|---|---|
Top-bottom, L-R: Imam Ali Shrine • Khan al-Nakhilah • Najaf Souk • Khan al-Musalla • Wadi-us-Salaam • Rural Najaf • Al-Sahlah Mosque | |
Interactive map of Najaf | |
Najaf Location of Najaf within Iraq | |
| Coordinates: 32°00′00″N 44°20′00″E / 32.00000°N 44.33333°E | |
| Country | Iraq |
| Governorate | Najaf |
| Established | 791 CE |
| Founded by | Hārūn al-Rashīd |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Mayor | Yusuf Kinawi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,325 km2 (512 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 60 m (200 ft) |
| Population | |
• Estimate (2018) | 747,261 |
| • Rank | 6th |
| • Density | 560/km2 (1,500/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 988,000 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 |
Najaf is the capital city of the eponymous Najaf Governorate in central Iraq, about 160 km (99 mi) south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2024 was about 1.41 million people. It is widely considered amongst the holiest cities of Shia Islam and one of its spiritual capitals, as well as the center of Shia political power in Iraq.
It is the burial place of Muhammad's son in law and cousin, ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, and thus a major pilgrimage destination for Shia Muslims. The largest cemetery in the world (Wadi-us-Salaam) and the oldest Shi'a Islamic seminary in the world (Hawza of Najaf) are located in Najaf.