Bree

I was told to never travel to this country… Girl, was I wrong! #iraq #middleeast #travel #bucketlist

I had so many of you guys asking questions about this Mosque, so here’s a look at how we gained access to the Imam Ali Shrine and everything you need to know about it. 🕌💫 This is the shrine of Imam Ali, the burial site of one of Islam’s most important figures. The mosque welcomes all, but as a woman you must dress modestly and remove makeup. Originally built in 786, the golden dome and towering minarets were crafted in the Safavid era — and later gilded in pure gold in 1743. In 1991, Saddam Hussein’s forces stormed these sacred walls during a Shia uprising… massacring those who sought refuge inside. Cameras are not allowed but phones are fine however if you take your phone out in the shrine itself a man or woman with a long feather duster will tap you to put it away. It was powerful being inside, so many people wanted to touch the shrine, and were crying, and praying. Each year, over 8 million pilgrims walk these grounds — a number that’s still growing and expected to hit 20 million in the near future. It was honestly one of the most breathtaking buildings I’ve ever seen in person 🥹✨ __ #iraq #travel #traveliraq #islam #shrine #roadtrip #middleeast #beautifulplaces #beautifuldestinations #wonderfulplaces #wonderlust #arabic #travelinspo #inspired #bucketlist #offthebeatenpath