Al-Rusafa, Iraq

This article is about places in Iraq. For the historic site in Syria also known as Sergiopolis, see Resafa.
-Rusafah
ٱلرُّصَافَة
ٱلرَّصَافَة
Al-Rasafah
Neighbourhood
Nasb al-hurriyah or the "Freedom Monument" in Liberation Square is one of Baghdad's most iconic monuments
Nasb al-hurriyah or the "Freedom Monument" in Liberation Square is one of Baghdad's most iconic monuments
-Rusafah is located in Baghdad
-Rusafah
-Rusafah
Rusafah's location inside Iraq
-Rusafah is located in Iraq
-Rusafah
-Rusafah
-Rusafah (Iraq)
-Rusafah is located in Middle East
-Rusafah
-Rusafah
-Rusafah (Middle East)
-Rusafah is located in Asia
-Rusafah
-Rusafah
-Rusafah (Asia)
Coordinates: 33°19′54″N 44°24′55″E / 33.33167°N 44.41528°E / 33.33167; 44.41528
Country Iraq
GovernorateBaghdad
Time zoneUTC+3 (AST)

Rusafa or Al-Rasafa (Arabic: ٱلرُّصَافَة \ رَّصَافَة, romanized: Ruṣāfah / Ar-Raṣāfah) is one of the nine administrative districts in Baghdad, Iraq, on the eastern side of the River Tigris (on the west side of which is Al-Karkh). It is one of the old quarters of Baghdad, situated in the heart of the city, The Rasafa side is one of the main parts of the city of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. Along with Karkh, it forms the essential components of the city, with the Tigris River flowing between them. The Rasafa side is known for its numerous cultural and historical landmarks, including the Old City, the Republic Bridge, and various markets and residential areas. and is home to a number of public squares housing important monumental artworks.

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;[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] Neighbourhoods of Rusafa district include Bab Al-Moatham and Al-Sa'adoon.

Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gilani

Main article: Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gilani
The mausoleum in the 1960s

Another prominent shrine in this district is that of the Hanbali Sufi saint, Abdul Qadir Gilani, who founded the Qadiriyya order.[5][6] 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: Mausoleum of Ahmad ibn Hanbal

The Mausoleum of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Arabic: ضريح الإمام أحمد بن حنبل) contains the purported 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, the Aref Agha Mosque.[7][8] 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.[9][10]

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.

See also

References

  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ "New Statue Replaces Saddam", BBC News, 30 May 2003,Online:
  3. ^ Al-Khalil, S. and Makiya, K., The Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Iraq, University of California Press, 1991, p. 83
  4. ^ Al-Khalil, S. and Makiya, K., The Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Iraq, University of California Press, 1991, p. 74
  5. ^ Alwan, Walid Abdulamir (May–June 2005). Al-Salami, Fadel Abbas (photographer) (ed.). "The Qadirya Mausoleum, Shrine of a famous sufi leader" (PDF). Islamic Tourism (17). Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  6. ^ "Jilani Shrine the Sufi Heart of Baghdad". The Express Tribune. March 22, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  7. ^ فاخر, عادل. "بعد أكثر من 1200 عام على وفاته.. كيف يبدو ضريح الإمام بن حنبل في بغداد؟". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  8. ^ "ضريح الإمام أحمد بن حنبل". www.alayyam.info. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  9. ^ الدليل السياحي للأضرحة والمراقد في العراق (in Arabic), Sunni Endowment Office, Department of General Sunni Shrines, p. 13
  10. ^ "من مراقد بغداد واضرحتها – ملاحق جريدة المدى اليومية" (in Arabic). Al-Mada Supplements. 2012-12-02. Archived from the original on 2018-09-03.

Imam Ahmad Mosque