The golden dome
Directly above the tomb.
Karbobala — CC BY 4.0 · Karbobala Photos — CC BY 4.0 · Ali Majid Abbood — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Karbobala Photos — CC BY 4.0
The Imam Husayn Shrine is a mosque and shrine in the city of Karbala, holding the tomb of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, near the place where he was killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680. It is among the holiest sites for Shia Muslims after Mecca and Medina, and millions visit each year, above all around Ashura and the seasons that follow. The whole city grew around this tomb, and the shrine has been rebuilt and enlarged many times over the centuries. A new metal enclosure over the tomb was completed in 2013. Close by is the shrine of Abbas ibn Ali, and between them runs a wide walkway known as Bayn al-Haramayn, with a constant flow of pilgrims day and night. You enter through wooden gates covered with glass decoration, into a courtyard lined with many iwans, with the golden dome and two minarets ahead. The tomb lies directly beneath the dome. This is a place of worship first of all, so keep quiet and respect the pilgrims, and expect a security check, where you may be asked to leave bags and phones before entering. It stands in central Karbala, about 37 km in a straight line from the site of Babylon. Dress modestly, and women must wear an abaya. Rules for non-Muslim visitors may vary, so ask at the gate. The city gets extremely full in the Arbaeen season. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to this area, so check official guidance before planning.
Directly above the tomb.
Glass decoration.
A walkway joining two shrines.
Central Karbala, Iraq
Above all at Ashura and in the Arbaeen season, so plan ahead or avoid them unless you are a pilgrim.
Modest clothing for everyone, and women must wear an abaya.