Kufa, Religious city in Najaf Governorate, Iraq.
Kufa is a city on the Euphrates in Najaf Governorate, Iraq. The Great Mosque forms the core of the settlement, while residential neighborhoods and commercial streets spread across the nearby terrain.
The camp was founded in 638 by Arab forces following their conquest of Mesopotamia. Under Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib, the settlement became a seat of government before the caliphate moved to Damascus.
The Great Mosque serves as a prayer space where believers gather for daily worship and mark religious observances. The shrine draws pilgrims who come here to pray and connect with religious tradition.
Buses connect the city to Baghdad daily, with the ride taking around three hours. Travelers should carry water and wear light clothing because of the desert heat.
Stone markers in the main mosque indicate prayer direction, calculated by medieval astronomers using stars and the position of the sun. This orientation has helped worshippers face Mecca during prayer for centuries.
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