Wadi-us-Salaam, or the ‘Valley of Peace,’ is the largest cemetery in the world, located in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq. The necropolis covers an area of more than 6 square kilometres, and more than six million people are buried there. It attracts crowds of pilgrims every year, becoming a central memorial and spiritual link for the Shiite community from around the world.
The Wadi-us-Salaam cemetery is directly adjacent to the shrine of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph in the Sunni tradition and the first imam of the Shia. This link makes many Shia worshippers wish to be buried precisely in the Valley of Peace. Shiites believe that Ali’s intercession in the hereafter can bring relief to souls on their journey to eternal life. Consequently, religious traditions dictate burial close to Ali, and the possibility of transporting bodies from other countries allows Shiites from all over the world to receive this honour.
The shrine of Ali ibn Abi Talib. Photo by Arlo K. Abrahamson, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
According to tradition, the Prophet Abraham was said to have purchased land in the Valley of Peace, and Ali referred to Wadi Al-Salaam in his preaching as a place that is part of heaven. Shiites believe that souls buried in the valley will rise to eternal life on the day of judgement in the company of Ali and other spiritual leaders. According to some accounts, the prophets Hud and Salih are also buried at Wadi-us-Salaam, further reinforcing its spiritual status.
Burial at Wadi-us-Salaam involves a number of rituals:
1. Washing and wrapping of the body – preparation of the deceased takes place in the cemetery.
2. Funeral prayers – are performed at the Ali shrine, symbolising a spiritual connection to the holy place.
3. Procession around the shrine – the freshly prepared body is carried around the shrine in a ritual act similar to the Tawaf, familiar from the pilgrimage to Mecca.
4. Recitation of the Qur’an – special verses are recited in the cemetery to bring peace to the soul of the deceased.
Wadi-us-Salaam has been a burial site for more than 1,400 years. Archaeological finds prove that the site was used by Mesopotamian people as early as Parthian and Sassanid times. The cemetery is listed as a provisional UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The historic necropolis has experienced many difficult moments in its history, especially during the Battle of Nadjah in 2004. During the period of the Iraq war, the number of burials was as high as 200-250 bodies per day, although this has decreased over time to around 130. Due to the conflict with the so-called Islamic State, which began in 2014, spaces in the cemetery began to run out. The problem has been exacerbated in recent years when incidents of theft of grave spaces and their illegal resale began to occur in response to the lack of available spaces. This situation calls for appropriate action and protection of this sacred site to preserve it for future generations.
Wadi-us-Salaam is not only the largest necropolis in the world, but also one of the most important places for the Shia community, a symbol of spiritual unity and a space that preserves thousands of years of tradition. For the faithful, the cemetery represents a special place – a haven of peace and a sense of belonging that transcends life and death.
Source: whc.unesco.org, natemat.pl
Read also: Monument| City | Sacred architecture | Interesting facts | whiteMAD on Instagram
