Kadhimiya

al-Kāżimiyyah (Arabic: الكاظمية‎ al-Kāżimiyyah; alternatively, Arabic: الكاظمين‎ al-Kāżimayn) is a northern neighbourhood of Baghdad, Iraq about five kilometres from the city center on the west bank of the Tigris. Al-Kāżimiyyah is one of nine administrative districts in Baghdad.

Al-Kāżimayn is regarded as a holy city in Shia Islam. It received its name (lit. "the Two Kāżims" or "the Two who swallow their anger") from the two Shia Imams buried there: Mūsā al-Kādhim and his grandson and successor, Muhammad at-Taqī. A shrine was first built over their tombs, and subsequently the al-Kadhimiya Mosque.

History

The area that now constitutes al-Kāżimiyyah was originally the location of a graveyard reserved for members of the Quraish tribe. This land was set aside for this purpose by the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid.

In its early history, the town was an important center of Shia learning, perhaps the main center, but over time the town declined, and other cities rose to prominence. The location of the city has lent it to numerous plunders, that have resulted in damage to its shrines at different times in history. Among the most damage ever experienced by the town was after the Mongol sack of Baghdad where the shrine of the Shia Imams was burnt down. The area was also an important center of resistance against the British after World War I.