Editing Najaf

{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Najaf
| native_name        = {{lang|ar|ٱلنَّجَف}}
| other_name         = Najaf al-Ashraf, Baniqia
| settlement_type    = [[Metropolis]]
| image_skyline      = {{photomontage
|photo1a = Shrine of Imam Ali Najaf August 2023.jpg
|photo2a = خان النخيلة أو خان الربع.jpg
|photo2b = Imam Ali Mosque2021 21.jpg
|photo3a=2خان المصلى النجف.jpg 
|photo3b=Wadi-us-Salaam 20150218 10.jpg
|photo4a = نخيل العراق.jpg
|photo4b = مرقد سفير الحسين بن علي.jpg
|size=250
}}
| imagesize          = 275
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = Top-bottom, L-R:{{br}} Entry to the [[Imam Ali Shrine]] • Khan Al Musalla • Statue of [[Muhammad Mahdi al-Jawahiri|Jawahiri]] • Rural Najaf • Inside [[Imam Ali Shrine]]
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| nickname           = 
| image_map          = 
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = Iraq
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Najaf within Iraq
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Iraq}}
| subdivision_type1  = Governorate
| subdivision_name1  = [[Najaf Governorate|Najaf]]
| established_date   = 791 CE
| founder            = [[Hārūn al-Rashīd]]
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = Mayor
| leader_name1       = Yusuf Kinawi
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_sq_mi    = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_sq_mi   = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| timezone           = [[UTC+3]]
| coordinates        = {{coord|32|00|00|N|44|20|00|E|region:IQ|display=inline}}
| elevation_m        = 60
| elevation_ft       = 200
| website            = 
| footnotes          = 
| population_est     = 747261
| pop_est_as_of      = 2018
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name= 'citypopulation.de'/>
| population_metro   = 988,000
| population_rank    = [[List of largest cities of Iraq|10th]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.geonames.org/IQ/largest-cities-in-iraq.html | title=Biggest Cities Iraq }}</ref>
| image_map1         = {{Infobox mapframe |shape-fill-opacity=.1|wikidata=yes |zoom=10 |frame-height=300 | stroke-width=1  |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
}}
'''Najaf'''{{efn| ({{langx|ar|ٱلنَّجَف}}); due to its status as a [[holy city]] in [[Shia Islam]], it is also referred to with the honorific name '''Najaf al-Ashraf''' ({{langx|ar|ٱلنَّجَف ٱلْأَشْرَف}}).}} is the capital city of the [[Najaf Governorate]] in central [[Iraq]], about 160&nbsp;km (99&nbsp;mi) south of [[Baghdad]]. Its estimated population in 2024 is about 1.41 million people.<ref name="citypopulation.de">{{cite web|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/iraq/cities.html|title=Iraq: Governorates & Cities}}</ref> It is widely considered amongst the holiest cities of [[Shia Islam]] and one of its spiritual capitals, as well as the center of Shia political power in Iraq.{{refn|<ref>{{cite book|first1=Anthony H.|last1=Cordesman|first2=Sam|last2=Khazai|title=Iraq in Crisis|date=4 Jun 2014|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781442228566|page=319}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first1=Patrick|last1=Cockburn|title=Muqtada: Muqtada al-Sadr, the Shia Revival, and the Struggle for Iraq|date=8 Apr 2008|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=9781416593744|page=146|edition=illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first1=Kenneth M.|last1=Pollack|first2=Raad|last2=Alkadiri|author3=J. Scott Carpenter|first4=Frederick W.|last4=Kagan|first5=Sean|last5=Kane|title=Unfinished Business: An American Strategy for Iraq Moving Forward|url=https://archive.org/details/unfinishedbusine00poll|url-access=limited|date=2011|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|isbn=9780815721666|page=[https://archive.org/details/unfinishedbusine00poll/page/n113 103]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Linda|last=Robinson|title=Masters of Chaos: The Secret History of the Special Forces|publisher=PublicAffairs|date=2005|edition=illustrated, reprint|page=[https://archive.org/details/mastersofchaos00lind/page/260 260]|isbn=9781586483524|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mastersofchaos00lind/page/260 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ali al-Sistani is Iraq's best hope of curbing Iranian influence. But he is 85 and has no obvious successor|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21679508-ali-al-sistani-iraqs-best-hope-curbing-iranian-influence-he-85-and|access-date=6 December 2015|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=5 December 2015}}</ref>}}

It is the [[Imam Ali Shrine|burial place]] of [[Muhammad]]'s son in law and cousin, [[‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib]], and thus a major pilgrimage destination for Shia Muslims. The largest cemetery in the world ([[Wadi-us-Salaam]]) and the oldest Shi'a Islamic seminary in the world ([[Hawza Najaf|Hawza of Najaf]]) are located in Najaf.

== Etymology ==
According to [[Ibn Manzur]], the word, "najaf" ({{Lang|ar|نجف}}), literally means a high and rectangular place around which water is accumulated, although the water does not go above its level.<ref>Ibn Manẓūr, ''Lisān al-ʿArab'', under the word "Najaf".</ref> [[Al-Shaykh al-Saduq]] appeals to a hadith from [[Ja'far al-Sadiq]], claiming that "Najaf" comes from the phrase, "nay jaff" which means "the nay sea has dried".<ref>Ṣadūq, ''ʿIlal al-sharāʾiʿ'', vol. 1, p. 31.</ref>

"Najaf" is usually accompanied by the adjective "al-Ashraf" (the dignified). According to the author of ''al-Hawza al-'ilmiyya fi l-Najaf al-ashraf'', this is because 'Ali, one of the most dignified persons, is buried in the city.

Al-Ghari or al-Ghariyyan, Hadd al-'Adhra', al-Hiwar, al-Judi, Wadi l-Salam, al-Zahr, Zahr al-Kufa (behind Kufa), al-Rabwa, Baniqiya, and Mashhad are other names for this land.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

==History==
The area of An-Najaf is located 30&nbsp;km (19&nbsp;mi) south of the ancient city of [[Babylon]], and 400&nbsp;km (248&nbsp;mi) north of the ancient city of [[Ur]]. The city itself was founded in 791 AD, by the [[Abbasid]] [[Caliph]] [[Harun al-Rashid|Harūn ar-Rashīd]], as a shrine to ‘Alī bin Abī Ṭālib.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ring|first=Trudy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R44VRnNCzAYC&pg=RA1-PA69I|title=International Dictionary of Historic Places: Middle East and Africa|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1996|isbn=9781884964039|access-date=2009-09-13}}</ref>

===Prehistoric and ancient times===
[[File:Najaf view.jpg|thumb|View of the city of Najaf, ca. 1914]]
[[File:People of najaf.jpg|thumb|Men at Najaf during a religious festival, ca. 1914]]Archaeological discoveries show the existence of a populace dating back to the 1st century BC. Najaf possesses one of the largest burial grounds in the vicinity for Christians. Discoveries in the following centuries point toward the city's multicultural and diverse religious history. Mohammed al-Mayali, director of Inspectorate Effects of the province of Najaf, states "the excavation on the graves, which we have been working on for years, confirm that "Najaf" contains the largest Christian cemetery in Iraq, with a cemetery area of 1416 acres. We have found indications of Christianity on the graves through representations of crosses and stones with Christ-like engravings. There are also relics that date back to the [[Sassanid]] period. Also discovered in the excavation was proof of a thriving glass industry. Pots were decorated with the cross. as well as Hebrew writings, indicating a community of religious coexistence."{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

[[Wadi-us-Salaam]] in Najaf was once a holy cemetery for [[Jews]] and was then called Baniqia, which could be the first recorded name for the area.<ref>{{cite book|author1=A'haron Oppenheimer|title=Between Rome and Babylon: Studies in Jewish Leadership and Society|last2=Oppenheimer|first2=Nili|date=2005|publisher=Mohr Siebeck|isbn=9783161485145|pages=351}}</ref>
<ref>Bryan Hill. ["Wadi Al-Salam: Magnificent Ancient Cemetery in Iraq is Largest in the World"], ''[[Ancient Origins]]'', 23 July 2018.</ref>
 
The name Baniqia also was found in some texts which state that Abraham once visited and stayed in this village before continuing his journey from Mesopotamia to Arabia.<ref>Brendan Koerner. ["Why Is Najaf So Holy?"], ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'', 27 April 2004.</ref><ref>Imam Ali Holy Shrine. ["Baniqia Article ID 4648"], ''[[Imam Ali Network]]''.</ref>

In [[Islam]], the city is considered to have started with Ali who instructed that his burial place should remain a secret, as he had many enemies and he feared that his body might be subjected to some indignity. According to legend, the body of Ali was placed on a [[camel]] which was driven from [[Kufa]]h. The camel stopped a few miles west of the city where the body was secretly buried.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Farag|first1=George|title=Diaspora and Transitional Administration: Shiite Iraqi Diaspora and the Administration of Post-Saddam Hussein Iraq|date=2007|isbn=9780549410034|pages=133–4}}</ref> No tomb was raised and nobody knew of the burial place except for a few trusted people. It is narrated that more than a hundred years later the Abbasid Caliph, [[Harun al-Rashid]], went [[deer hunting]] outside Kufah, and the [[deer]] sought sanctuary at a place where the hounds would not pursue it. On inquiry as to why the place was a sanctuary, he was told that it was the burial place of ‘Ali. Harūn ar-Rashīd ordered a mausoleum to be built on the spot and in due course the town of Najaf grew around the mausoleum.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

===Medieval and modern history===
In early 14th century, Sheikh [[Ibn Battuta]] visited the burial site of [[Ali ibn Abi Talib]] during his travels in Iraq after his pilgrimage to Mecca. During this period, Najaf was called Meshhed Ali. As Translated by [[Samuel Lee (linguist)|Samuel Lee]], Ibn Battuta in his Arabic ''[[Rihla]]'' relates:<ref>{{cite book|last1=Batuta|first1=Ibn|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_22IbAQAAMAAJ|title=The travels of Ibn Batūta;|last2=Lee|first2=Samuel|date=1829|publisher=London, Printed for the Oriental translation committee, and sold by J. Murray [etc.]|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_22IbAQAAMAAJ/page/n52 31]–33|author-link1=Ibn Battuta|author-link2=Samuel Lee (linguist)|access-date=11 June 2018|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

{{Blockquote
|text=We next proceeded to the city of Meshhed Ali where the grave of Ali ibn Abu Talib is thought to be. It is a handsome place and well peopled. There is no governor here, except a sort of tribune. The inhabitants consist chiefly of rich and brave merchants. About the gardens are plastered walls adorned with paintings, and within them are carpets, couches and lamps of gold and silver. Within the city is a large treasury kept by the tribune, which arises from the votive offerings arrived from different parts: for when anyone happens to be ill, or suffer under any infirmity, he will make a vow, and thence receive relief. The garden is also famous for its miracles; and hence it is believed that the grave of Ali is there. <br>

Of these miracles, the "night of revival" is one: for, on the 17th day of the month Rejeb, cripples come from different parts of Fars, Room, Khorasaan, Irak, and other places, assemble in companies from twenty to thirty in number. They are placed over the grave soon after sun-set. People then, some praying, some reciting the Quran, and others prostrating themselves, wait expecting their recovery and rising, when about the night, they all get up sound and right. This is a matter well known among them: I heard it from a creditable person, but was not present at one of those nights. I saw, however, several such afflicted persons, who had not yet received, but were looking forward for the advantages of this "night of revival".
}}

In the 16th century, Najaf was conquered by the [[Ottoman Empire]]. The [[Safavid dynasty]] of Iran maintained continuous interest to this Shia site. During the [[Ottoman–Safavid War (1623–1639)]], they were twice able to capture the city, but lost it again to the Ottomans in 1638.

Under the rule of the [[Ottoman Empire]], Najaf experienced severe difficulties as the result of repeated raids by Arab desert tribes and the Persian army with acute water shortages causing lack of a reliable water supply. The number of inhabited houses in the city had plummeted from 3,000 to just 30 by the start of the 16th century.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

When the Portuguese traveller [[Pedro Texeira]] passed through Najaf in 1604, he found the city in ruins, inhabited by little more than 500 people.<ref>{{cite book|last=Nakash|first=Yitzhak|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BXJqeTr6p78C&pg=PA20|title=The Shi'is of Iraq|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2003|isbn=0691115753|access-date=2009-09-13}}</ref> This was largely the result of a change in the course of the [[Euphrates]] river eastwards in the direction of [[Hilla]], leaving Najaf and [[Kufa]] high and dry, leading to the destruction of the local formerly rich agriculture, demise of the palm groves and orchards, followed by the salinization of the underground water due to evaporation.

During the 18th century, the scholarly life of Najaf came to be dominated by [[Farsi]]-speaking ‘[[Ulema]]’ ({{langx|ar|عُلُمَاء}}, Scholars) from [[Iran]].<ref>Yitzhak Nakash, ''The Shi'as of Iraq'' (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994) p. 16</ref>

The water shortages were finally resolved in 1803 when the Euphrates made its way to the city once again. The shift in the river's flow was the product of a century-long effort by the Ottomans to shift the flow of the river, so as to deprive marsh-dwelling tribes like the Khaza'il of the watery environment that allowed them to evade state control. These long-term efforts rendered successful the construction of the Hindiyya Canal in 1793, which further shifted the flow of the Euphrates. These hydrological shifts were to have religious implications. Most notable was the consolidation and spread of Shi'ism. As the shrine city of Najaf gained access to water again, its notables and holy men began to wield considerable power in the area.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Husain|first=Faisal|date=October 2014|title=In the Bellies of the Marshes: Water and Power in the Countryside of Ottoman Baghdad|journal=Environmental History|volume=19|issue=4|pages=638–664|doi=10.1093/envhis/emu067}}</ref> In 1811, the last [[city wall]] was rebuilt.<ref name="transformation">{{cite journal|last1=Farhan|first1=Sabeeh|last2=Akef|first2=Venus|last3=Nasar|first3=Zuhair|date=December 2020|title=The transformation of the inherited historical urban and architectural characteristics of Al-Najaf's Old City and possible preservation insights|journal=Frontiers of Architectural Research|volume=9|issue=4|pages=820–836|doi=10.1016/j.foar.2020.07.005|issn=2095-2635|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Modern period ===
[[File:Najaf-Iraq 1932.jpg|thumb|[[Masjid al-Imam ‘Ali]] in 1932.|left]]The Ottomans were expelled in an uprising in 1915, following which the city fell under the rule of the [[British Empire]]. The sheikhs of Najaf including Sayyed Mahdi Al-Awadi rebelled in 1918, killing the British governor of the city, and cutting off grain supplies to the [[Anazzah]], a tribe allied with the British. In retaliation the British [[Siege of Najaf (1918)|besieged the city and cut off its water supply]]. The rebellion was put down and the rule of the sheikhs was forcibly ended. A great number of the Shi‘i ‘Ulema’ were expelled into [[Persia]], where they set the foundations for the rise of the city of [[Qom]] as the center of the Shi‘ite learning and authority, in lieu of Najaf. Najaf lost its religious primacy to Qom, and was not to regain it until the 21st century, during the establishment of a [[Shi'a|Shī‘ī]]-majority government in Iraq after 2003.

In the 20th century, much of the Old City was rebuilt in a series of modernization initiatives. Beginning in the 1950s, many historic buildings and monuments, including those adjoining the shrine, were demolished for the construction of Sadeq, Zainulabidin, Rasool and Tousi streets. In 1958, the city wall was torn down and replaced with a [[ring road]]. In the 1980s, the entire area between the shrine and the city's western edge was demolished, and the residents resettled outside the city, in what locals perceived as a government reprisal for the [[1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq|Shia uprising]] under the leadership of [[Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr]], who was based in the neighborhood.<ref name="transformation" />

During the [[2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq]], Najaf was a key target of the invading [[United States Armed Forces]]. The city was encircled during heavy fighting on 26 March 2003 and was captured on 3 April 2003 ([[Battle of Najaf (2003)|Battle of Najaf]]). The clerical authorities of the Shī‘ī enclave of [[Sadr City]] in [[Baghdad]], which claimed autonomy in April 2003, after the [[Battle of Baghdad (2003)|fall of Baghdad]], claimed to be taking their orders from senior clerics in Najaf.

On 4 April 2004, the [[Mahdi Army]] attacked the Spanish-Salvadoran-ALARNG base (Camp Golf, later renamed Camp Baker) in An Najaf, part of a coordinated uprising across central and southern Iraq in an apparent attempt to seize control of the country ahead of the 30 June 2004 handover of power to a new Iraqi government. This uprising led to the American troops arriving in the city in the wake of the Spanish withdrawal. In August 2004, heavy fighting broke out again between U.S. forces and Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/aug/07/iraq.michaelhoward|title = US troops kill 300 in Najaf raid|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 6 August 2004}}</ref> The battle lasted three weeks and ended when senior Iraqi cleric Grand Ayatollah [[Ali al-Sistani]] negotiated an end to the fighting.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0830/p25s01-woiq.html|title = End of the siege: The smoke clears in Najaf|journal = Christian Science Monitor|date = 30 August 2004}}</ref>

In 2012, Najaf was named the Cultural Centre of the Arab World.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.minneapolis.org/about-us/sister-cities/najaf-iraq/|title = Najaf, Iraq}}</ref> On 6 March 2021, [[Pope Francis]] visited the city during his historic [[Pope Francis's visit to Iraq|papal visit to Iraq]] and held an interfaith dialogue with al-Sistani, where he expressed a message of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the country.<ref>{{cite news|date=6 March 2021|title=Pope Francis meets Iraq's Shia leader al-Sistani|work=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]|publisher=Al Jazeera Media Network|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/6/pope-francis-meets-iraqs-shia-leader-al-sistani|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> During the ISIS war, Najaf Shiites launched solidarity initiative with Sunni areas affected by ISIS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Najaf Shiites launch solidarity initiative with Sunni areas - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012 |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2019/01/iraq-shiite-najaf-sistani-sectarianism.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.al-monitor.com |language=en}}</ref> Many Iraqis including religious minorities such as Christians from the north, as well as Lebanese Shia have found safe haven in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-03 |title=Iraq's holy city of Karbala becomes a haven from sectarian fighting |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-iraq-karbala-sectarian-20150103-story.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=https://www.washingtontimes.com |first=The Washington Times |title=HUSAIN: Fleeing Iraqi Christians find safe haven at the Shrine of Imam Ali |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/24/husain-fleeing-iraqi-christians-find-safe-haven-sh/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
===Climate===
Najaf has a [[hot desert climate]], ''BWh'' in the [[Köppen climate classification]], with long, very hot summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is {{convert|23.6|C}}. The rainfall averages 69&nbsp;mm (2.71&nbsp;in).

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | metric first = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Najaf (1991–2020)
| Jan record high C =26.0
| Feb record high C =32.5
| Mar record high C =41.7
| Apr record high C =43.0
| May record high C =48.3
| Jun record high C =51.4
| Jul record high C =51.5
| Aug record high C =51.0
| Sep record high C =49.2
| Oct record high C =43.7
| Nov record high C =34.5
| Dec record high C =29.4
| year record high C =
 | Jan high C =    17.1
 | Feb high C =    20.2
 | Mar high C =    25.6
 | Apr high C =    31.6
 | May high C =    38.5
 | Jun high C =    43.2
 | Jul high C =    45.4
 | Aug high C =    45.2
 | Sep high C =    41.4
 | Oct high C =    34.8
 | Nov high C =    24.6
 | Dec high C =    18.7
 | year high C =    32.2

 | Jan mean C =    11.2
 | Feb mean C =    14.0
 | Mar mean C =    18.8
 | Apr mean C =    24.9
 | May mean C =    31.3
 | Jun mean C =    35.8
 | Jul mean C =    38.1
 | Aug mean C =    37.6
 | Sep mean C =    33.4
 | Oct mean C =    28.5
 | Nov mean C =    18.0
 | Dec mean C =    12.8
 | year mean C =    25.4

 | Jan low C =     6.3
 | Feb low C =     8.3
 | Mar low C =    12.6
 | Apr low C =    18.2
 | May low C =    23.9
 | Jun low C =    27.7
 | Jul low C =    29.9
 | Aug low C =    29.4
 | Sep low C =    25.8
 | Oct low C =    20.4
 | Nov low C =    12.6
 | Dec low C =     7.8
 | year low C =    18.6

| Jan record low C = -7.2
| Feb record low C = -4.5
| Mar record low C = 2.2
| Apr record low C = 7.0
| May record low C = 13.0
| Jun record low C = 17.0
| Jul record low C = 19.4
| Aug record low C = 22.2
| Sep record low C = 18.3
| Oct record low C = 7.0
| Nov record low C = 0.2
| Dec record low C = -2.5
| year record low C = -7.2

 | precipitation colour = green
 | Jan precipitation mm =    16.4
 | Feb precipitation mm =    10.7
 | Mar precipitation mm =     9.1
 | Apr precipitation mm =    14.4
 | May precipitation mm =     3.4
 | Jun precipitation mm =     0.0
 | Jul precipitation mm =     0.0
 | Aug precipitation mm =     0.0
 | Sep precipitation mm =     0.0
 | Oct precipitation mm =     6.3
 | Nov precipitation mm =    19.6
 | Dec precipitation mm =    12.9
 | year precipitation mm =    92.8

 | Jan humidity =    67.0
 | Feb humidity =    57.6
 | Mar humidity =    47.4
 | Apr humidity =    41.1
 | May humidity =    31.4
 | Jun humidity =    24.5
 | Jul humidity =    22.6
 | Aug humidity =    23.7
 | Sep humidity =    28.8
 | Oct humidity =    39.9
 | Nov humidity =    56.5
 | Dec humidity =    65.3
 | year humidity =    42.2

 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]],<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Iraq/CSV/NAJAF_40670.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Najaf
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 1, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/data_rescue_iraq.html#o48577960 |title=Iraq Climatological Data - NOAA Central Library |access-date=2016-01-03 |archive-date=2017-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010083742/https://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/data_rescue_iraq.html#o48577960 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Meteomanz(record high since 2009<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.meteomanz.com/sy3?l=1&cou=2050&ind=40670&m1=01&y1=2009&m2=06&y2=2024 |title=NAJAF - Weather data by month |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=meteomanz}}</ref>)
}}

==Religious significance==
{{Further|Iraq in the Qur’an}}

An-Najaf is considered sacred by Shi'a Muslims. An-Najaf is renowned as the site of the burial place of Muhammad's son-in-law and cousin, [[‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib]]. The city is now a center of [[pilgrimage]] throughout the Shi'ite [[Islam]]ic world. It is estimated that only [[Mecca]] and [[Medina]] receive more Muslim pilgrims. As the burial site of one of Shi'a Islam's most important figure,<ref name="Never Again!">''[http://www.shianews.com/hi/articles/politics/0000382.php Never Again!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805175642/http://www.shianews.com/hi/articles/politics/0000382.php |date=2007-08-05 }}'' ShiaNews.com</ref> the [[Imam Ali Shrine|Imam Ali Mosque]] is considered by Shiites as the third holiest Islamic site.{{refn|<ref name="Never Again!"/><ref>''[https://web.archive.org/web/20020603155002/http://atimes.com/c-asia/DE24Ag04.html Iran Diary, Part 2: Knocking on heaven's door]'' Asia Times Online</ref><ref>[http://www.chnphoto.ir/gallery.php?gallery_uid=187&lang=en Muslim Shiites Saint Imam Ali Holy Shrine - 16 Images] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905090748/http://www.chnphoto.ir/gallery.php?gallery_uid=187&lang=en |date=2010-09-05 }} Cultural Heritage Photo Agency</ref><ref>''{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100918084430/http://www.modarresinews.com/artc.php?id=75%2F The tragic martyrdom of Ayatollah Al Hakim calls for a stance]}}'' Modarresi News, September 4, 2003</ref><ref>[http://www.zaman.org/?bl=international&alt=&trh=20040813&hn=11401/ Zaman Online, August 13, 2004] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061028164619/http://www.zaman.org/?bl=international |date=October 28, 2006 }}</ref><ref>''[https://www.theguardian.com/Iraq/Story/0,,926947,00.html/ Why 2003 is not 1991]'' The Guardian, April 1, 2003</ref><ref>''[https://www.boston.com/news/daily/02/war_shrine.htm/ Iraqi forces in Najaf take cover in important Shia shrine]'', [[The Boston Globe]], April 2, 2003. "For the world's nearly 120&nbsp;million Muslim Shiites, Najaf is the third holiest city behind Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia."</ref><ref>''[http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/23/sprj.nilaw.religious.rivalry/index.html/ Religious rivalries and political overtones in Iraq]'' CNN.com, April 23, 2003</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uga.edu/islam/iraq.html#misc|title=Muslims, Islam, and Iraq|first=Alan|last=Godlas|website=www.uga.edu|access-date=2010-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006170511/http://www.uga.edu/islam/iraq.html#misc|archive-date=2011-10-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

The Imam ‘Ali Mosque is housed in a grand structure with a gold gilded dome and many precious objects in the walls. Nearby is the [[Wadi-us-Salaam]] cemetery, the largest in the world.<ref name="FattahCaso2009">{{cite book|author1=Hala Mundhir Fattah|first2=Frank|last2=Caso|title=A brief history of Iraq|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q_-hrXU-mWYC&pg=PA140|access-date=2010-10-18|year=2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-5767-2|page=140}}</ref> It contains the tombs of several prophets and many of the devout from around the world aspire to be buried there, to be raised from the dead with Imām ‘Alī on [[Last Judgement|Judgement Day]]. Over the centuries, numerous hospices, schools, libraries and convents were built around the shrine to make the city the center of Shīʻa learning and theology.

The An-Najaf seminary, or [[Hawza Najaf]], is one of the most important teaching centres in the Islamic world. [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] lectured there from 1965 to 1978.<ref name="Ring">{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/najaf.htm | title=Najaf | publisher=Global Security | access-date=2009-09-13 | last=Ring | first=Trudy | year=1996}}</ref> Many of the leading figures of the new Islamic movement that emerged in Iraq, Iran and Lebanon in the 1970s had studied at Najaf.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5oB4_tohQegC | title=The Renewal of Islamic Law: Muhammad Baqer As-Sadr, Najaf and the Shi'i International | publisher=Cambridge University Press | access-date=2009-09-13 | last=Mallat | first=Chibli | year=2004| isbn=9780521531221 }}</ref> As of 2014, it was estimated to have about 13,000 students.<ref name=monitor-enter-2014>{{cite news |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/04/najaf-hawza-educational-development-iraq.html |title=Najaf's Shiite seminaries enter 21st century |agency=Al-Monitor|last1=Mamouri |first1=Ali |date=8 April 2014 |access-date=18 July 2023}}</ref>

== Economy ==
The fall of the Ba'athist regime ended restrictions on Shi'ite pilgrimage, which led to a pilgrimage boom in Najaf and increased demand for facilities and infrastructure.<ref name="transformation" /><ref name=":0" /> In 2006, the [[Al Maliki I Government|government]] sponsored reconstruction of the previously demolished western area of the city as the City of Pilgrims project.<ref name="transformation" /> Najaf, alongside [[Karbala]], is considered a thriving pilgrimage destination for Shia Muslims and the pilgrimage industry in the city boomed after the end of Saddam Hussein's rule.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=4 April 2013 |title=Iraq's holy cities enjoy boom in religious tourism |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-style/art-and-culture/2013/04/04/Iraq-s-holy-cities-enjoy-boom-in-religious-tourism.html |publisher=Al Arabiya}}</ref> However, due to the [[U.S. sanctions on Iran]], the number of Iranian pilgrims dropped significantly.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 February 2019 |title=Iraq's city of Najaf suffers as Iranian tourist numbers drop |url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/iraq-s-city-of-najaf-suffers-as-iranian-tourist-numbers-drop-1.828312 |publisher=The National}}</ref>

Since the end of the [[Iraq War|2003–2011 war]], numerous projects have been proposed for Najaf. The city has become a model for development in Iraq. Najaf have been experiencing economic boom, along with political events.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Iraq: 10 major investment projects for Najaf Ashraf – Shafaqna India {{!}} Indian Shia News Agency |url=https://india.shafaqna.com/EN/iraq-10-major-investment-projects-for-najaf-ashraf/ |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=india.shafaqna.com}}</ref> In 2008, over 50% of about licensed 200 investment projects totaling $8 billion were under construction in [[Najaf Governorate]], with most development coming in the housing and tourism sectors.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/world/can-do-najaf-offers-hope-for-iraq-investment-boom-idUSBRE8431BJ/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> Najaf has been described as a strategically important city with a stable investment environment and available skilled manpower.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00HPJM.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221194105/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00HPJM.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 21, 2016|title=The USAID-TIJARA Provincial Economic Growth Program - Investor Guide of Najaf|publisher=USAID}}</ref> The city has experienced an increase in investment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/can-do-najaf-offers-hope-for-iraq-investment-boom-idUSBRE8431BJ/|title=Can-do Najaf offers hope for Iraq investment boom|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Saudi Arabian firm ACWA Power is in process to construct a 1,000 MW solar power plant in Najaf.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-17 |title=ACWA Power to develop 1,000 MW solar plant in Iraq |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2288221/business-economy |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref>

The government proposed to build 15 housing complexes in Najaf, with a cost of $7 billion as a part of 240 projects.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |last2=Projects |first2=Zawya |title=Iraq to build 15 housing complexes in Najaf |url=https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/iraq-to-build-15-housing-complexes-in-najaf-e89x1zbk |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=www.zawya.com |language=en}}</ref> It also includes development of two industrial parks.<ref name=":2" /> In 2024, prime minister [[Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani]] announced several projects in the city, during his visit to Najaf.<ref name=":3">{{cite web | url=https://ina.iq/eng/32876-from-najaf-the-prime-minister-announces-the-approval-of-a-number-of-significant-projects.html | title=From Najaf, the prime minister announces the approval of a number of significant projects }}</ref> The projects proposed by Al-Sudani included the Holy shrine's carpet-washing factory project will cost 3.46 billion.<ref name=":3" /> A cement bag factory covering an area of 75,000 square meters with a production capacity of 240 million bags per year, is being constructed in Najaf.<ref name=":1" /> Another project is a glass production factory, which will have a net profit of 32% in the first year of operation because the Najaf desert region has high-quality raw materials for this factory.<ref name=":1" /><gallery mode="packed" caption="Markets in Najaf">
File:001123-ImamAliShrine-Najaf-IMG 7707-2.jpg
File:Najaf 4.jpg
File:Najaf 2.jpg
File:Najaf 3.jpg
File:Najaf 4.jpg
</gallery>

==Culture==

===Religious tourism===

Najaf being home to the [[Imam Ali Shrine|Sanctuary of Imam Ali]] (considered the patriarch and the first of the [[Twelve Imams]]) is the destination of large numbers of Shi’i religious pilgrims annually hailing from around the world.

===Sports===

The city of Najaf is home to [[Al-Najaf SC]] and [[Naft Al-Wasat SC]] that play in the premier [[Iraq Stars League]], and the second tier [[Iraqi Premier Division League]], respectively.

Najaf has two football stadiums, the [[An-Najaf Stadium]] (also referred to as the old stadium) with a capacity of 12,000 spectators, and the newer [[Al-Najaf International Stadium]] with a capacity of 30,000. The latter stadium is the home of the Stars League club Al-Najaf as well as  Naft Al-Wasat, whilst the former is the home stadium of the neighbouring [[Al-Kufa SC]].

==Education==

===Universities===

Some of the universities located in Najaf include:
* Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University
* [[Islamic University College]]
* [[University of Alkafeel]]	
* Jabir Ibn Hayyan Medical University	
* Altoosi University College

===Najaf Seminary===
{{main|Hawza Najaf}}

The Hawza of Najaf has been a centre of traditional Shia Islamic education since the 11th century CE, when it is believed to have been established. It is the oldest Shi’ie seminary among those still active, and many prominent Shi’ie Islamic scholars have studied in the Najaf Seminary, including [[Murtadha al-Ansari]], and [[Ali al-Sistani]].

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Najaf Airport1.jpg|thumb|Najaf Airport, 2013]]
[[Al Najaf International Airport|Najaf International Airport]] is an important logistical hub that plays a pivotal role in facilitating transportation, particularly for religious tourism. Annually, it oversees the transit of over 3 million passengers, predominantly pilgrims visiting the holy sites in Najaf. It is situated in the eastern part of Najaf, approximately 6 kilometres from the city center.

In February 2024, the Iraqi National Investment Commission (NIC) unveiled a project to construct an inter-city [[high-speed rail]] connecting the cities of Najaf and [[Karbala]]. Once finished, it is set to accommodate up to 25,000 passengers per hour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.railway-technology.com/news/iraqi-government-opens-two-rail-project-tenders/|title=Iraqi government opens two rail project tenders|date=14 February 2024 |publisher=Railway Technology}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://shiawaves.com/english/news/101296-work-on-high-speed-train-project-linking-holy-karbala-to-holy-najaf-to-begin-soon-ministry-says/|title=Work on high-speed train project linking Holy Karbala to Holy Najaf to begin soon, ministry says|date=11 February 2024 |publisher=ShiaWaves}}</ref>

The construction of a road between the country and Saudi Arabia around the region of Najaf is about to complete.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arooj |date=2023-11-12 |title=Construction work of Iraq-Saudi Arabia Road reaches advanced stages |url=https://shiawaves.com/english/news/98286-construction-work-of-iraq-saudi-arabia-road-reaches-advanced-stages/ |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Shia Waves |language=en-US}}</ref>

==International relations==

===Sister cities===
As of 2024, Najaf has three [[sister cities]]:
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Minneapolis]], United States<ref>{{cite web |title=Najaf, Iraq|url=https://www.minneapolis.org/about-us/sister-cities/najaf-iraq/|website=minneapolis.org|publisher=City of Minneapolis|accessdate=2020-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minneapolis-sister-cities-day/|title=Minneapolis celebrates its ties to 12 "sister cities"|date=17 July 2022 |publisher=cbsnews}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|IRN}} [[Najafabad]], Iran<ref>{{cite web|title=خواهر خواندگی شهرهای نجف آباد ونجف اشرف|url=http://isfahan.irib.ir/-/%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%81-%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%81-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81|website=isfahan.irib.ir|publisher=Isfahan IRIB|date=2015-04-02|accessdate=2020-06-22|archive-date=2021-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911192219/http://isfahan.irib.ir/-/%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%81-%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%81-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|IRN}} [[Mashhad]], Iran<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.sistercity.info/sister-cities/Mashhad.html|title=Sister cities of Mashhad|publisher=Sistercity.info}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Iraq}}
*[[1977 Shia protests in Iraq]]
*[[Al-Hannanah mosque]]
*[[Al Najaf International Airport]]
*[[Battle of Najaf (2003)]]
*[[Battle of Najaf (2004)]]
*[[Battle of Najaf (2007)]]
*[[Big Four (Najaf)]]
*[[Literary League Association]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
;Published in the 19th-20th centuries
*{{Citation |publisher = [[John Murray (publishing house)|John Murray]] |publication-place = London |title = Handbook for Travellers in Asia Minor, Transcaucasia, Persia, etc. |editor= Charles Wilson |editor-link=Charles William Wilson |publication-date = 1895 |oclc = 8979039 |chapter=Nejef |isbn = 9780524062142 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=icy5QKym2BoC&pg=PA309 }}
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Nejef |volume= 19 |last= Peters |first= John Punnett |author-link= John Punnett Peters | page = 352}}

;Published in the 21st century
*{{cite book |title=Historic Cities of the Islamic World |editor=C. Edmund Bosworth |year=2007 |publisher=Koninklijke Brill |location=Leiden |isbn=978-9004153882 |chapter=Najaf }}
*{{Citation |publisher = [[ABC-CLIO]] |publication-place = Santa Barbara, Calif. |editor1 = Michael R. T. Dumper |editor2=Bruce E. Stanley |chapter=Najaf |title = Cities of the Middle East and North Africa |year = 2007 |publication-date = 2008 |isbn=978-1576079195 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Najaf}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*[http://www.seratonline.com/103/the-miracles-in-the-holy-shrine-of-ameerul-momineen-as/ Miracles in Najaf]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050217111847/http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=3718 The Holy City of Najaf (Iraq)]
*[https://www.theguardian.com/flash/0,,1281852,00.html Interactive Guide: Najaf] - ''[[The Guardian]]''

{{Districts of Iraq}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|32.00|N|44.33|E|region:IQ_type:city|display=title}}

[[Category:Najaf| ]]
[[Category:791 establishments]]
[[Category:Cities in Iraq]]
[[Category:District capitals of Iraq]]
[[Category:Holy cities]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 8th century]]
[[Category:Shia holy cities]]
[[Category:Ali]]
[[Category:Ziyarat]]