Great Mosque of Kufa

Kufa, Najaf Governorate, Iraq

One of the earliest and most significant mosques in Islamic history, serving as the capital mosque of Ali ibn Abi Talib during his caliphate and a major center of Shia devotion.

Historical Context

Founded as a garrison city by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas in 637 CE, Kufa rapidly grew into one of the most important cities of the early Islamic world. Ali moved the capital from Medina to Kufa in 656 CE. The mosque witnessed some of the most consequential events in early Islamic political history.