Al-Rusafa, Iraq

Description

This district is an older area on the eastern side of Baghdad; its central commercial area, a centre of markets considered one of the four old central business districts of Baghdad (Karkh, Rusafa, Adhamiyah and Kadhimiya). It includes many urban features which have become landmarks including Firdos Square and Liberation Square, the biggest landmark in Baghdad and one of the most visited. It has also been home to a number of monumental artworks including the Monument to the Unknown Soldier (1959–2002) designed by local architect, Rifat Chadirji; a statue of Saddam Hussein (2002–2003) by local sculptor Khalid Ezzat, which was replaced by Freedom by local sculptor Bassem Hamad al-Dawiri, all located in Firdos Square. The Freedom Monument (Nasb al-Hurriyah), a work by architect Rifat Chadirji and sculptor Jawad Saleem is Baghdad's most iconic work, and is situated in Liberation Square. The sculpture of Shahriyar and Scheherazade by sculptor Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, situated on the banks of the Tigris River near Abu Nuwas Street, is another example of Iraqi art featured in the area. Neighbourhoods of Rusafa district include Bab Al-Moatham and Al-Sa'adoon.

Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gilani

Main article: Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gilani

Another prominent shrine in this district is that of the Hanbali Sufi saint, Abdul Qadir Gilani, who founded the Qadiriyya order. The complex consist of a mosque, mausoleum, and the library known as Qadiriyya Library, which contains various books for Islam.

Mausoluem of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Main article: Arif Agha Mosque, Iraq

The Arif Agha Mosque () contains the purported mausoleum () and grave of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, founder of the Hanbali school of thought. The present structure is a 1998 reconstruction of an earlier Ottoman-period structure. It is visited by pilgrims worldwide, similar to the aforementioned mausoleum of Abdul Qadir al-Jilani. Since 2003, the site has been under the management of the Sunni Endowment Office of Iraq.

Meir Taweig Synagogue

Main article: Meir Taweig Synagogue

Meir Taweig Synagogue, also known as Meir Taweig Abraham Synagogue is a large compound in Bataween, which consists of a synagogue, a Jewish school and a library. It is the only active synagogue in Baghdad, where remaining Jews manage.

References

References

1. [https://www.citypopulation.de/en/iraq/baghdad/admin/ Iraq: Baghdad Governorate (Districts and Subdistricts)]
2. Bernhardsson, M.T., "Visions of the Past: Modernizing the Past in 1950s Baghdad," in Sandy Isenstadt and Kishwar Rizvi, ''Modernism and the Middle East: Architecture and Politics in the Twentieth Century'', University of Washington Press, 2008, p.92
3. "New Statue Replaces Saddam", BBC News, 30 May 2003,[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2951094.stm Online:]
4. Al-Khalil, S. and Makiya, K., ''The Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Iraq,'' University of California Press, 1991, p. 83
5. Al-Khalil, S. and Makiya, K., ''The Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Iraq,'' University of California Press, 1991, p. 74
6. Alwan, Walid Abdulamir. (May–June 2005). "The Qadirya Mausoleum, Shrine of a famous sufi leader". Islamic Tourism.
7. (March 22, 2015). "Jilani Shrine the Sufi Heart of Baghdad". [[The Express Tribune]].
8. فاخر. عادل. link. ()
9. link
10. {{citation. [[Sunni Endowment Office]], Department of General Sunni Shrines
11. Al-Mada Supplements. link. (2012-12-02)