On the outskirts of Najaf, a city considered sacred by Shiites in Iraq, lies the world's largest cemetery. It is reported that 5-6 million people are buried in this cemetery, called "Wadi al-Salam".
Modern.az reports that the area of the cemetery is more than 9 square kilometers, and burial ceremonies have been held here for more than 1400 years.
Wadi al-Salam, which means "Valley of Peace" in Arabic, has been included in the preliminary list of candidate sites for UNESCO's World Heritage List.
This is not just the world's largest cemetery. In addition to Iraq, people from other countries where Shiism is widespread also want to be buried here after death. Shiism is the second largest branch of Islam and accounts for approximately 10-15 percent of the world's Muslims.
It resembles a city from the sky, a labyrinth from the ground
When viewed from a bird's-eye view, Wadi al-Salam resembles a giant city. At ground level, the cemetery gives the impression of a large labyrinth consisting of mausoleums, narrow and winding passages, tombstones, and various structures.
The location of the cemetery on the outskirts of Najaf further increases its religious significance. Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, and also considered the first Imam of the Shiites, is buried here.
That is why being buried in Wadi al-Salam is of special importance among Shiites.
Tombs of prophets and historical figures
It is reported that the cemetery contains the tombs of several Islamic prophets, including Hud and Saleh.
Not only religious, but also historical and socio-political figures are buried here. Among them is the Islamic theologian and Iraqi political activist Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr.
A separate section has also been created in the cemetery for those who died in the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.
There were times when 250 people were buried daily
According to calculations, 5-6 million people have been buried in Wadi al-Salam over the last 1400 years.
Along with the prophets of ancient times, people who died in modern wars are also buried here. The cemetery also contains the graves of those killed during the war in Iraq in 2003-2011 and during confrontations with ISIS.
During the peak of the war in Iraq, up to 250 people were reportedly buried daily in Wadi al-Salam.
After the "Islamic State" (ISIS) took control of parts of Iraq in 2014, the number of daily burials in the cemetery reached approximately 200 people.
Mysterious beliefs about the cemetery
Various legends and beliefs also exist around Wadi al-Salam. Among local residents, there are beliefs that djinns and other evil spirits live in the cemetery.
Historically, these beliefs are associated with traces of mythology that existed in the region before the spread of Islam in the 7th century.
Wadi al-Salam, where people have been buried for more than 1400 years, is still active today and maintains its scale as the world's largest cemetery.
A.Gorkhmaz
