• 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
Iraq