HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Holy shrines in the holy city of
Najaf and Kufa -- including the revered mausoleum of Imam Ali
bin Abi Talib (AS) -- were shut down on Thursday 26 October
for security reasons.
According to witnesses in the holy Najaf south of Baghdad
the streets around the Imam Ali mausoleum were blocked off and
the shrine itself was sealed to pilgrims.
Security officials say they've been tipped that the city's
been infiltrated by terrorists who've wrapped themselves in
explosives.
"The interior ministry issued the order that the mausoleum
be closed until further notice," city police Chief Colonel
Abdel Karim Mustapha said.
Four hours later, Mustapha said that the shrine had been
reopened "after the appropriate security measures had been
taken."
Holy graves of a number of Prophets (AS) are also housed in
Holy Najaf while Kufa is home to significant Kufa mosque,
shrine of Muslim bin Aqil, house of Imam Ali (AS) and his
companion Meetham At-Tammar, and Sehla mosque.
