This aerial view shows the Wadi-al-Salam cemetery in Iraq's holy shrine city of Najaf, on February 10, 2023. - Wadi-al-Salam cemetery, often described as the world's biggest, bears silent witness to life and death over 14 centuries. Flowers, photographs and religious banners honour many of the millions buried in the ochre desert sands of the "Valley of Peace", victims of war and disease, accidents and old age. (Photo by Qassem al-KAABI / AFP)
This aerial view shows the Wadi-al-Salam cemetery in Iraq's holy shrine city of Najaf, on February 10, 2023. - Wadi-al-Salam cemetery, often described as the world's biggest, bears silent witness to life and death over 14 centuries. Flowers, photographs and religious banners honour many of the millions buried in the ochre desert sands of the "Valley of Peace", victims of war and disease, accidents and old age. (Photo by Qassem al-KAABI / AFP)
Grave diggers charge about $100 for a grave and a gravestone costs about $200
Grave diggers charge about $100 for a grave and a gravestone costs about $200
A vendor sells bottles of rose water outside the cemetery
A vendor sells bottles of rose water outside the cemetery
Flowers, rose water bottles and religious banners are among the items needed during a burial ceremony
Flowers, rose water bottles and religious banners are among the items needed during a burial ceremony
Millions have been buried in the cemetery for generations
Millions have been buried in the cemetery for generations
The graveyard covers an area of 917 hectares, the equivalent of more than 1,700 football fields
The graveyard covers an area of 917 hectares, the equivalent of more than 1,700 football fields
There are no maps to guide visitors through the labyrinth, which is also listed as the world's largest burial ground in the Guinness Book of World Records
There are no maps to guide visitors through the labyrinth, which is also listed as the world's largest burial ground in the Guinness Book of World Records
Visitors are taken around the cemetery in the back of a small vehicle
Visitors are taken around the cemetery in the back of a small vehicle
Worshippers visit the shrine of Imam Ali, the founding figure of Shiite Islam, at the cemetery
Worshippers visit the shrine of Imam Ali, the founding figure of Shiite Islam, at the cemetery
Locals bury their dead relatives here because they believe 'Imam Ali will play the role of intercessor for those around him during the Last Judgment'
Locals bury their dead relatives here because they believe 'Imam Ali will play the role of intercessor for those around him during the Last Judgment'
The shrine of Imam Ali at the cemetery
The shrine of Imam Ali at the cemetery
Worshippers at the shrine of Imam Ali
Worshippers at the shrine of Imam Ali
An expanse of graves
An expanse of graves
Workers build and design gravestones at the cemetery
Workers build and design gravestones at the cemetery
The cemetery includes several styles of burials, including lower graves and tower-like graves that reflect status and respect
The cemetery includes several styles of burials, including lower graves and tower-like graves that reflect status and respect
More than 5,000 victims of Covid-19 are buried here
More than 5,000 victims of Covid-19 are buried here
An expanse of graves
An expanse of graves

MENA

Iraq's Wadi-al-Salam cemetery echoes 14 centuries of life and death - in pictures

Islamic cemetery in Najaf is often described as the world's biggest

The National

March 01, 2023

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Updated: March 01, 2023, 10:20 AM
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