Wadi Al-Salam, which is literally defined as the Valley of Peace, is a Muslim cemetery located in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq.
The cemetery covers an area of 1485.5 hectares and is home to millions of bodies buried there. Najaf itself is one of the largest cities in Iraq, with a population of 600,000 inhabitants.
However, because the number of bodies buried in the Wadi Al-Salam multiply, regional expansion up to 10 km along the valley. Interestingly, the Wadi al-Salam is also the only cemetery in the world, where the funeral is still going on since more than 1,400 years ago.
As reported amusingplanet, cemetery plays an important role in the Shiite faith, as it has been said that the souls of all the faithful men and women who will move there, no matter where their bodies had been buried. Many prophets, kings, princes and sultans lie in this cemetery, including that of Prophet Hud, Nabi Saleh, and Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, and Ali ibn Abi Talib.
Wadi Al-Salam has a tomb built with brick or plaster with different levels. And generally, the body that comes from a wealthy family has a vaulted tomb. Here, you also can find the underground cemetery.
During the Iraq war in 2003, armed fighters from Iraqi militias often use the cemetery as a place of hiding and lurking enemies. U.S. troops can not enter the area because of Wadi Al-Salam filled with winding paths and underground tombs.
However, the violence in Iraq since 2003 has led to a massive expansion in the Wadi al-Salam. The funeral growing rapidly every year since 2004. First time clash against American troops, sectarian war in 2006-2007 when Shi'ite and Sunni kill each other, and finally in 2008, a battle with Iraqi troops. But in recent years, the growth of Wadi Al-Salam slightly slowed.
The cemetery covers an area of 1485.5 hectares and is home to millions of bodies buried there. Najaf itself is one of the largest cities in Iraq, with a population of 600,000 inhabitants.
However, because the number of bodies buried in the Wadi Al-Salam multiply, regional expansion up to 10 km along the valley. Interestingly, the Wadi al-Salam is also the only cemetery in the world, where the funeral is still going on since more than 1,400 years ago.
As reported amusingplanet, cemetery plays an important role in the Shiite faith, as it has been said that the souls of all the faithful men and women who will move there, no matter where their bodies had been buried. Many prophets, kings, princes and sultans lie in this cemetery, including that of Prophet Hud, Nabi Saleh, and Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, and Ali ibn Abi Talib.
Wadi Al-Salam has a tomb built with brick or plaster with different levels. And generally, the body that comes from a wealthy family has a vaulted tomb. Here, you also can find the underground cemetery.
During the Iraq war in 2003, armed fighters from Iraqi militias often use the cemetery as a place of hiding and lurking enemies. U.S. troops can not enter the area because of Wadi Al-Salam filled with winding paths and underground tombs.
However, the violence in Iraq since 2003 has led to a massive expansion in the Wadi al-Salam. The funeral growing rapidly every year since 2004. First time clash against American troops, sectarian war in 2006-2007 when Shi'ite and Sunni kill each other, and finally in 2008, a battle with Iraqi troops. But in recent years, the growth of Wadi Al-Salam slightly slowed.
