The Shi‘ah holy shrines in Arab Iraq have been in the center of attention of all the Muslims, and in particular the Shi‘ah themselves, throughout history. Hence, most of the statesmen, rulers and governors of Muslim states paid special attention to such shrines, placing the construction, care and respect of the tombs of the Infallible Shi‘ah Imams high on their political and religious agenda.
After the establishment of the Safavid rule in Iran and the selection of the Shi‘ah creed as the official religion of the state by them, and also because of their religious, cultural and political objectives in Iran and Arab Iraq, Atabat-e Aliyat (Shi‘ah holy shrines in Iraq) were greatly improved and expanded, and construction work sponsored by them reached its peak in the holy cities of Najaf, Karbala’, Kadhimayn, and Samarra’.
This article discusses the construction and expansion work carried out in Atabat-e Aliyat by the Safavid government of Iran.
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