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| ⚫ | ] and ] are recognized as the two most important sites in ]. The third most important site in Islam has been defined based on various considerations. | ||
| ] | |||
| ⚫ | In terms of the "virtue" of a religious site, and the value of prayers performed within it, Muslims believe that the ] in ] is the third holiest site based on scripture. The ] quotes ] as saying: "the Prophet of Allah ] said a prayer in the ] (in ]) is worth 100,000 prayers; a prayer in ] (in ]) is worth 1,000 prayers; and a prayer in al-Masjid al-Aqsa (in ]) is worth 500 prayers more than in an any other mosque. | ||
| ⚫ | ] and ] are recognized as the two most important sites in ]. The third most important site |
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| Masjid Al-Aqsa ranks third after ] (Mecca) and ] (Medina) in terms of the virtue of prayers performed therein. According to an authentic ] the Prophet ] only allowed Muslims to deliberately set out on a journey to these three mosques. Al-Aqsa is also the site where the Prophet ascended to the heavens (the ]) | |||
| ⚫ | ==]== | ||
| ] | |||
| ⚫ | In terms of the "virtue" of a religious site, and the value of prayers performed within it, Muslims believe that the ] in ] is the third holiest site based on scripture. The ] quotes ] as saying: "the Prophet of Allah ] said a prayer in the ] (in ]) is worth |
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| The ] is also considered the third most important Islamic site based a scriptural reference stating that, along with Mecca and Medina, it was visited by ] during his lifetime: Abu Huraira is quoted as saying that Allah’s Messenger said, ‘set out deliberately on a journey only to three mosques: this mosque of mine (in Medina), the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) and the Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem) (Bukhari & Muslim). | The ] is also considered the third most important Islamic site based a scriptural reference stating that, along with Mecca and Medina, it was visited by ] during his lifetime: Abu Huraira is quoted as saying that Allah’s Messenger said, ‘set out deliberately on a journey only to three mosques: this mosque of mine (in Medina), the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) and the Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem) (Bukhari & Muslim). | ||
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| The Al-Aqsa Mosque is also mentioned in the Qur'an as being the site of the ] - where ] ascended to the heavens. | The Al-Aqsa Mosque is also mentioned in the Qur'an as being the site of the ] - where ] ascended to the heavens. | ||
| Because of these scriptural references, the ] is widely and commonly referred to as the "third holiest site in Islam." Mosques other than ] have been referred to as the "third holiest site in Islam" based on considerations other than the value of prayers performed within or the visiting of the site by Muhammad during his lifetime. |
Because of these scriptural references, the ] is widely and commonly referred to as the "third holiest site in Islam." Mosques other than ] have been referred to as the "third holiest site in Islam" based on considerations other than the value of prayers performed within or the visiting of the site by Muhammad during his lifetime. None of the following sites are mentioned in the ] and ]. | ||
| ===Shia Muslim sites=== | ===Shia Muslim sites=== | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
| It is commonly reported in the worlds media that the ] in ], ], is the third holiest site{{check}} for the estimated 130 million followers of the ] branch of ] worldwide – approximately 10 percent of total ]. It is estimated that only ] and ] receive more Muslim pilgrims. | It is commonly reported in the worlds media that the ] in ], ], is the third holiest site{{check}} for the estimated 130 million followers of the ] branch of ] worldwide – approximately 10 percent of total ]. It is estimated that only ] and ] receive more Muslim pilgrims. | ||
| |
reports about ] being the second holiest city in Iran. In an attempt to impress the importance of the ] located in Qom, the article quotes the guards as saying: "Our sixth imam, Imam Sardeg, says that we have five definitive holy places that we respect very much. The first is Mecca, which belongs to God. The second is Medina, which belongs to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the messenger of God. ''The third belongs to our first imam of Shia, Ali, which is in Najaf''. The fourth belongs to our third imam, Hussein, in Karbala. The last one belongs to the daughter of our seventh imam and sister of our eighth imam, who is called Fatemah, and will be buried in ]. Pilgrims and those who visit her holy shrine, I promise to these men and women that God will open all the doors of Heaven to them." | ||
| based in Iran states: “The world's 120 million Shiites regard Najaf - a center of scientific, literary and theological studies - as their ''third holiest site, behind Mecca and Medina''”. | based in Iran states: “The world's 120 million Shiites regard Najaf - a center of scientific, literary and theological studies - as their ''third holiest site, behind Mecca and Medina''”. | ||
| In refering to this site, |
In refering to this site, calls it: "The place was the burial site of Islam’s second most important figure and ''third holiest shrine''". <ref></ref> | ||
| |
states: The US Army launched a massive offensive yesterday in order to suppress the rebellion in Najaf, Iraq's holiest city in the eyes of Shiites…Because Najaf is home to the Imam Ali tomb and Mosque, Shiite Muslims regard Najaf as the ''third holiest city'' after Mecca and Medina <ref>Kavkaz Center is Chechen independent international Islamic Internet news agency, oriented to cover events in the Islamic world, Caucasus and Russia</ref> . | ||
| , based in ], |
, based in ], reports that “Because Najaf is home to the Imam Ali tomb and Mosque, Shiite Muslims regard Najaf as the ''third holiest city after Mecca and Medina''”. <ref>.</ref> | ||
| ] described Najaf, as ''the third holiest place of Shi'ite Muslims'' <ref>.</ref> | ] described Najaf, as ''the third holiest place of Shi'ite Muslims'' <ref>.</ref> | ||
| The ] |
The ] reports “for the world's nearly 120 million Muslim Shiites, Najaf is the ''third holiest city'', behind Mecca and Medina in ]. <ref>.</ref> | ||
| The ] website |
The ] website states: “the Shiite the city of Najaf, ''Islam's third holiest city'' after Mecca and Medina and home to the Tomb of Imam Ali, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad and father of ]'s ]”. <ref>.</ref> ] states: "Najaf is the ''third holiest city for Shia Muslims'' after Mecca and Medina". <ref></ref> | ||
| Tarek al-Issawi, journalist for the ], writes “the Najaf shrine, the most-sacred Shi'ite shrine in Iraq and ''the third holiest in the world'' after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.” <ref></ref> Referring to Najaf, describes it as “the place is the burial site of Islam’s second most important figure and ''third holiest shrine''” | Tarek al-Issawi, journalist for the ], writes “the Najaf shrine, the most-sacred Shi'ite shrine in Iraq and ''the third holiest in the world'' after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.” <ref></ref> Referring to Najaf, describes it as “the place is the burial site of Islam’s second most important figure and ''third holiest shrine''” | ||
| On the website of The Virtual Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of the Islamic World, a division of the ], under Miscellaneous Relevant Links, it cites a link to a news story “about Iraqi troops using the ] in Najaf and about the instructions given to American troops not to damage the shrine, which, ''after Mecca and Medina, is the holiest city for Shiites''.” And “American authorities have not taken an active public role in the mosque investigation because of Iraqi sensitivity to any US presence at the Najaf Shrine. The mosque is the most sacred Shiite shrine in ] and ''the third holiest in the world after Mecca and Medina''” (last section on page) | |||
| ⚫ | |
||
| ⚫ | goes further and bypasses Medina stating “Najaf, home to the shrine of Imam Ali, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, is Muslim Shiites ''second holiest site after ] in ]''”. | ||
| ====], Iraq==== | ====], Iraq==== | ||
| Line 55: | Line 57: | ||
| ====], Iraq==== | ====], Iraq==== | ||
| Middle East correspondent of the ], Nahlah Ayed interviewed for the reported that “People didn't really know what was going on until the second bomb went off and it blew up in a fiery ball right in front of the ], the ''third holiest site'' for Shia Muslims.” <ref>.</ref> | |||
| It was also reported by ] that “the ] shrine in ], the ''third-holiest'' in Shiite Islam” <ref>.</ref> | It was also reported by ] that “the ] shrine in ], the ''third-holiest'' in Shiite Islam” <ref>.</ref> | ||
| ===Turkish Cypriot Muslims=== | |||
| ⚫ | ===Other sites labelled "third holiest/most important"=== | ||
| ====], Cyprus==== | ====], Cyprus==== | ||
| According to the ], ]’s ''third sacred holy site'' after the ] in Mecca and the ] in Medina, is ''Hala Sultan Tekke'', or Umm Haram in ], which has long been the destination of Muslim pilgrims. <ref>.</ref> | |||
| Professor Bowen of the ] completed an assessment of the environmental and cultural assets of ] as a senior ] scholar. He stated: “In the south is the city of Lamaka … Just outside the city is the location of the Hala Sultan Tekke ], the ''third holiest place for Muslims'' in the world. <ref>An assessment of the environmental and cultural assets of Cyprus published by Professor Bowen of the University of Tennessee as a senior Fulbright scholar. </ref> Similarly, in ''Freedom of Religion and Belief: a World Report'', authors Kevin Boyle and Juliet Sheen report that the tomb is said to be "revered by Turkish Cypriots as the ''third holiest site in Islam.''" <ref>Boyle, Kevin & Sheen, Julie, Freedom of Religion and Belief, Routledge (UK) 05-08-1997, pg.290-91, ISBN 0-415-15977-6, (reviewed on Google Books 10-25-2006).</ref> Penny Drayton, in her book ''Aphrodite's Island'' reports "In Cyprus is another highly venerated Islamic site - ''the third most important after Mecca and Medina'' - the Hala Sultan Tekke. This, too, has a black rock, said to have fallen as a meteorite as part of the tritholon over the shrine. The shrine is to a woman - the aunt and foster mother of Prophet Mohammed…" <ref> Drayton, Penny; Aphrodite's Island, Wood & Water Jan 1993; Vol. 2, No.41.</ref> | Professor Bowen of the ] completed an assessment of the environmental and cultural assets of ] as a senior ] scholar. He stated: “In the south is the city of Lamaka … Just outside the city is the location of the Hala Sultan Tekke ], the ''third holiest place for Muslims'' in the world. <ref>An assessment of the environmental and cultural assets of Cyprus published by Professor Bowen of the University of Tennessee as a senior Fulbright scholar. </ref> Similarly, in ''Freedom of Religion and Belief: a World Report'', authors Kevin Boyle and Juliet Sheen report that the tomb is said to be "revered by Turkish Cypriots as the ''third holiest site in Islam.''" <ref>Boyle, Kevin & Sheen, Julie, Freedom of Religion and Belief, Routledge (UK) 05-08-1997, pg.290-91, ISBN 0-415-15977-6, (reviewed on Google Books 10-25-2006).</ref> Penny Drayton, in her book ''Aphrodite's Island'' reports "In Cyprus is another highly venerated Islamic site - ''the third most important after Mecca and Medina'' - the Hala Sultan Tekke. This, too, has a black rock, said to have fallen as a meteorite as part of the tritholon over the shrine. The shrine is to a woman - the aunt and foster mother of Prophet Mohammed…" <ref> Drayton, Penny; Aphrodite's Island, Wood & Water Jan 1993; Vol. 2, No.41.</ref> | ||
| A heterodox Islamic website states: “Cyprus is also home to the highly venerated Hala Sultan Tekke shrine - many consider it the ''third holiest shrine of Islam''. Like the shrine in Mecca, it too has a black rock, said to have fallen as a meteorite as part of the tritholon over the shrine. The shrine is also to a woman named Umm Haram, the alleged foster mother of the prophet”. | |||
| Many Cypriot holiday and property websites also name Hala Sultan Tekke as the third holiest site in the Muslim world | |||
| ===Turkish Muslims=== | |||
| ====], ]==== | |||
| Turkish Muslims consider it the third holiest pilgrimage site in Islam. It is the reputed burial place of Ayoub al-Ansari who was a friend and the standard bearer for Mohammed. In addition to Ayoub's tomb there is a golden-framed footprint of Mohammed. | |||
| . | |||
| ===Central Asian Muslims === | |||
| ====], ]==== | |||
| “We had started our trip to Bukhara with a visit to the great Sufi saint Sheikh Bahauddin, Nakshbandia’s mausoleum and the mausoleum of his mother Arifa. “There are three holiest places for Muslims,” Mashtura told us. “The Mecca Muzzema with the holy Kaba, the Madina Monwara with the mausoleum of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Bukhara-e-Sharif.” <ref>.</ref> | |||
| ====], Iran==== | |||
| A claim by certain travel websites state that “for Central Asian Muslims ] is ''the third most sacred place after Mecca and Medina''. At the summit an ancient mosque built by Bobur in 1510 still operates”. (Day 23) | |||
| ⚫ | ===Other sites labelled "third holiest/most important"=== | ||
| ⚫ | ====], ]==== | ||
| In an article titled “”, featured on Syria’s Ministry of Tourism website , Richard Moore reports that “the highlight to the Old City was the Umayyad Mosque, which after Mecca and Medina, is possibly the world's ''third most important mosque''”. <ref> Bahrain this month, April 2005, Vol. 9, Issue 4.</ref> | |||
| ====], ]==== | |||
| states: Fez is ''the holiest city in the Islamic world after Mecca and Medina''. Founded at the beginning of the 9th century by Moulay Idriss II, and barely unchanged, this enchanting city has been a seat of government, philosophy, medicine and most notably religion since then. <ref></ref> | |||
| ====], ]==== | |||
| describes the ] in Córdoba as “once the ''third holiest pilgrimage site'' in the Islamic world”.]{{Verify credibility}} <ref>Worldsurface.com is an online travel magazine written by an international community of writers & photographers; </ref> | |||
| ====], ]==== | ====], ]==== | ||
| An article titled “Towards A Strategic Geopolitic Vision of Afro-Arab Relations” <ref> This was originally a paper submitted to the African Union (AU) Experts’ Meeting on a Strategic Geopolitic Vision of Afro-Arab Relations. AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, 11-12 May, 2004 [http://www.hollerafrica.com/showArticle.php?artId=164&catId=1.</ref> | An article titled “Towards A Strategic Geopolitic Vision of Afro-Arab Relations” <ref> This was originally a paper submitted to the African Union (AU) Experts’ Meeting on a Strategic Geopolitic Vision of Afro-Arab Relations. AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, 11-12 May, 2004 .</ref> | ||
| by Professor Kwesi Prah <ref>Director, Centre for Advanced Study of African Societies, Cape Town, South Africa</ref> | by Professor Kwesi Prah <ref>Director, Centre for Advanced Study of African Societies, Cape Town, South Africa</ref> | ||
| states “By ], the Arabs had taken Tunisia, and by ], they had completed construction of Kairouan, the city that would become the premier Arab base in North Africa. Kairouan was later to become ''the third holiest city in Islam'' in the medieval period, after Mecca and Medina”. | states “By ], the Arabs had taken Tunisia, and by ], they had completed construction of Kairouan, the city that would become the premier Arab base in North Africa. Kairouan was later to become ''the third holiest city in Islam'' in the medieval period, after Mecca and Medina”. | ||
| The ]'s Applied History Research Group states: "By 670, the Arabs had taken Tunisia, and by 675, they had completed construction of ], the city that would become the Arab base in North Africa. Kairouan would also become ''the third holiest city in Islam'' in the medieval period, after Mecca and Medina, because of its importance as the centre of the Islamic faith in the Maghrib". |
The ]'s Applied History Research Group states: "By 670, the Arabs had taken Tunisia, and by 675, they had completed construction of ], the city that would become the Arab base in North Africa. Kairouan would also become ''the third holiest city in Islam'' in the medieval period, after Mecca and Medina, because of its importance as the centre of the Islamic faith in the Maghrib". | ||
| ====], Afghanistan==== | |||
| Situated in ], ], ], also known as The ], is believed by a minority of Muslims, mainly Afghans, to be the resting place of ], son-in-law of the Prophet ]. It is described by the ] as ''third holiest site in Islam''. <ref>] Mirror, October 2005, pg. 8.</ref> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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Mecca and Medina are recognized as the two most important sites in Islam. The third most important site in Islam has been defined based on various considerations.
In terms of the "virtue" of a religious site, and the value of prayers performed within it, Muslims believe that the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is the third holiest site based on scripture. The Sahih Bukhari quotes Abu al-Dardaa as saying: "the Prophet of Allah Muhammad said a prayer in the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca) is worth 100,000 prayers; a prayer in my mosque (in Medina) is worth 1,000 prayers; and a prayer in al-Masjid al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) is worth 500 prayers more than in an any other mosque.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is also considered the third most important Islamic site based a scriptural reference stating that, along with Mecca and Medina, it was visited by Muhammad during his lifetime: Abu Huraira is quoted as saying that Allah’s Messenger said, ‘set out deliberately on a journey only to three mosques: this mosque of mine (in Medina), the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) and the Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem) (Bukhari & Muslim).
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is also mentioned in the Qur'an as being the site of the Mi'raj - where Muhammad ascended to the heavens.
Because of these scriptural references, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is widely and commonly referred to as the "third holiest site in Islam." Mosques other than Al-Aqsa Mosque have been referred to as the "third holiest site in Islam" based on considerations other than the value of prayers performed within or the visiting of the site by Muhammad during his lifetime. None of the following sites are mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith.
Shia Muslim sites
Imam Ali Mosque, Iraq
It is commonly reported in the worlds media that the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf, Iraq, is the third holiest site for the estimated 130 million followers of the Shiite branch of Islam worldwide – approximately 10 percent of total Muslims. It is estimated that only Mecca and Medina receive more Muslim pilgrims.
Asian Times Online reports about Qom being the second holiest city in Iran. In an attempt to impress the importance of the Hazrat-e Masumeh shrine located in Qom, the article quotes the guards as saying: "Our sixth imam, Imam Sardeg, says that we have five definitive holy places that we respect very much. The first is Mecca, which belongs to God. The second is Medina, which belongs to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the messenger of God. The third belongs to our first imam of Shia, Ali, which is in Najaf. The fourth belongs to our third imam, Hussein, in Karbala. The last one belongs to the daughter of our seventh imam and sister of our eighth imam, who is called Fatemah, and will be buried in Qom. Pilgrims and those who visit her holy shrine, I promise to these men and women that God will open all the doors of Heaven to them."
Heritage Photo Agency based in Iran states: “The world's 120 million Shiites regard Najaf - a center of scientific, literary and theological studies - as their third holiest site, behind Mecca and Medina”.
In refering to this site, Modarresi News calls it: "The place was the burial site of Islam’s second most important figure and third holiest shrine".
KavkazCenter.com states: The US Army launched a massive offensive yesterday in order to suppress the rebellion in Najaf, Iraq's holiest city in the eyes of Shiites…Because Najaf is home to the Imam Ali tomb and Mosque, Shiite Muslims regard Najaf as the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina .
Zaman Newspaper, based in Turkey, reports that “Because Najaf is home to the Imam Ali tomb and Mosque, Shiite Muslims regard Najaf as the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina”.
The Guardian described Najaf, as the third holiest place of Shi'ite Muslims The Boston Globe reports “for the world's nearly 120 million Muslim Shiites, Najaf is the third holiest city, behind Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
The CNN website states: “the Shiite the city of Najaf, Islam's third holiest city after Mecca and Medina and home to the Tomb of Imam Ali, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad and father of Karbala's Husayn ibn Ali”. bbc.co.uk states: "Najaf is the third holiest city for Shia Muslims after Mecca and Medina".
Tarek al-Issawi, journalist for the Associated Press, writes “the Najaf shrine, the most-sacred Shi'ite shrine in Iraq and the third holiest in the world after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.” Referring to Najaf, ShiaNews.com describes it as “the place is the burial site of Islam’s second most important figure and third holiest shrine”
On the website of The Virtual Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of the Islamic World, a division of the University of Georgia, under Miscellaneous Relevant Links, it cites a link to a news story “about Iraqi troops using the shrine of Ali in Najaf and about the instructions given to American troops not to damage the shrine, which, after Mecca and Medina, is the holiest city for Shiites.” And “American authorities have not taken an active public role in the mosque investigation because of Iraqi sensitivity to any US presence at the Najaf Shrine. The mosque is the most sacred Shiite shrine in Iraq and the third holiest in the world after Mecca and Medina” (last section on page)
IslamicTouism goes further and bypasses Medina stating “Najaf, home to the shrine of Imam Ali, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, is Muslim Shiites second holiest site after Mecca in Saudi Arabia”.
Imam Husayn Shrine, Iraq
Public Broadcasting Service portrays Karbala as follows: “…For Shiites, his tomb is the holiest site outside of Mecca and Medina, and many make the pilgrimage there -- up to a million pilgrims visit the city to observe Ashura, the anniversary of Husayn's death”.
channel4.com states: “The holy city of Karbala, situated 100 km south of Baghdad, derives its name from the ancient Babylonian meaning "sacred place of God" from the two shrines it houses of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Husayn and his brother 'Abbas. Shia Muslims consider this to be one of the holiest places in the world second only to Mecca and Najaf.
Al Askari Mosque, Iraq
Time Magazine reported at the time of the Al Askari Mosque bombing that “al-Askari one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, exceeded in veneration only by the shrines of Najaf and Karbala. Even Samarra's Sunnis hold al-Askari in high esteem. The expression 'to swear by the shrine' is routinely used by both communities".
Al Kadhimiya Mosque, Iraq
Middle East correspondent of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Nahlah Ayed interviewed for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that “People didn't really know what was going on until the second bomb went off and it blew up in a fiery ball right in front of the Al Kadhimiya Mosque, the third holiest site for Shia Muslims.”
It was also reported by Associated Press that “the Kazimiya shrine in Baghdad, the third-holiest in Shiite Islam”
Turkish Cypriot Muslims
Hala Sultan Tekke, Cyprus
According to the United Nations Development Programme, Islam’s third sacred holy site after the Kaaba in Mecca and the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina, is Hala Sultan Tekke, or Umm Haram in Cyprus, which has long been the destination of Muslim pilgrims.
Professor Bowen of the University of Tennessee completed an assessment of the environmental and cultural assets of Cyprus as a senior Fulbright scholar. He stated: “In the south is the city of Lamaka … Just outside the city is the location of the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque, the third holiest place for Muslims in the world. Similarly, in Freedom of Religion and Belief: a World Report, authors Kevin Boyle and Juliet Sheen report that the tomb is said to be "revered by Turkish Cypriots as the third holiest site in Islam." Penny Drayton, in her book Aphrodite's Island reports "In Cyprus is another highly venerated Islamic site - the third most important after Mecca and Medina - the Hala Sultan Tekke. This, too, has a black rock, said to have fallen as a meteorite as part of the tritholon over the shrine. The shrine is to a woman - the aunt and foster mother of Prophet Mohammed…"
A heterodox Islamic website states: “Cyprus is also home to the highly venerated Hala Sultan Tekke shrine - many consider it the third holiest shrine of Islam. Like the shrine in Mecca, it too has a black rock, said to have fallen as a meteorite as part of the tritholon over the shrine. The shrine is also to a woman named Umm Haram, the alleged foster mother of the prophet”.
Many Cypriot holiday and property websites also name Hala Sultan Tekke as the third holiest site in the Muslim world
Turkish Muslims
Eyüp Mosque, Turkey
Turkish Muslims consider it the third holiest pilgrimage site in Islam. It is the reputed burial place of Ayoub al-Ansari who was a friend and the standard bearer for Mohammed. In addition to Ayoub's tomb there is a golden-framed footprint of Mohammed. .
Central Asian Muslims
Bukhara, Uzbekistan
“We had started our trip to Bukhara with a visit to the great Sufi saint Sheikh Bahauddin, Nakshbandia’s mausoleum and the mausoleum of his mother Arifa. “There are three holiest places for Muslims,” Mashtura told us. “The Mecca Muzzema with the holy Kaba, the Madina Monwara with the mausoleum of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Bukhara-e-Sharif.”
Takht-i-Suleiman, Iran
A claim by certain travel websites state that “for Central Asian Muslims Takht-i-Suleiman is the third most sacred place after Mecca and Medina. At the summit an ancient mosque built by Bobur in 1510 still operates”. (Day 23)
Other sites labelled "third holiest/most important"
Umayyad Mosque, Syria
In an article titled “Syria: Crossroads of the Levant”, featured on Syria’s Ministry of Tourism website , Richard Moore reports that “the highlight to the Old City was the Umayyad Mosque, which after Mecca and Medina, is possibly the world's third most important mosque”.
Fez, Morroco
Africa Guide states: Fez is the holiest city in the Islamic world after Mecca and Medina. Founded at the beginning of the 9th century by Moulay Idriss II, and barely unchanged, this enchanting city has been a seat of government, philosophy, medicine and most notably religion since then.
Aljama Mosque, Spain
Worldsurface.com describes the Aljama Mosque in Córdoba as “once the third holiest pilgrimage site in the Islamic world”.]
Kairouan, Tunisia
An article titled “Towards A Strategic Geopolitic Vision of Afro-Arab Relations”
by Professor Kwesi Prah states “By 670, the Arabs had taken Tunisia, and by 675, they had completed construction of Kairouan, the city that would become the premier Arab base in North Africa. Kairouan was later to become the third holiest city in Islam in the medieval period, after Mecca and Medina”.
The University of Calgary's Applied History Research Group states: "By 670, the Arabs had taken Tunisia, and by 675, they had completed construction of Kairouan, the city that would become the Arab base in North Africa. Kairouan would also become the third holiest city in Islam in the medieval period, after Mecca and Medina, because of its importance as the centre of the Islamic faith in the Maghrib".
Rawze-e-Sharif, Afghanistan
Situated in Mazari Sharif, Afghanistan, Rawze-e-Sharif, also known as The Blue Mosque, is believed by a minority of Muslims, mainly Afghans, to be the resting place of Ali, son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. It is described by the International Security Assistance Force as third holiest site in Islam.
References
- Never Again!, Modarresi News, September 4, 2003.
- Kavkaz Center is Chechen independent international Islamic Internet news agency, oriented to cover events in the Islamic world, Caucasus and Russia
- Zaman Online, August 13, 2004.
- Why 2003 is not 1991, The Guardian, April 1, 2003.
- Iraqi forces in Najaf take cover in important Shiite shrine, The Boston Globe, April 2, 2003.
- Religious rivalries and political overtones in Iraq, CNN.com, April 23, 2003.
- Iraqis welcome exiled cleric home, bbc.co.uk, May 12, 2003.
- Iraqis arrest 19 with terror ties in mosque blast, Washington Times, August 31, 2003.
- An Eye For an Eye, Time Magazine, February 26, 2006.
- Iraq suicide bombings: an eyewitness account, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, March 3, 2004.
- Iraq blasts kill 143 on Shiite holy day, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 3, 2004.
- UNDP Action Interactive Online Newsletter, Issue 1, Spring 2006.
- An assessment of the environmental and cultural assets of Cyprus published by Professor Bowen of the University of Tennessee as a senior Fulbright scholar.
- Boyle, Kevin & Sheen, Julie, Freedom of Religion and Belief, Routledge (UK) 05-08-1997, pg.290-91, ISBN 0-415-15977-6, (reviewed on Google Books 10-25-2006).
- Drayton, Penny; Aphrodite's Island, Wood & Water Jan 1993; Vol. 2, No.41.
- / A day in legendary Bukhara, by Asjadul Kibria, HOLIDAY PUBLICATION LIMITED, April 25, 2003.
- Bahrain this month, April 2005, Vol. 9, Issue 4.
- Day 8
- Worldsurface.com is an online travel magazine written by an international community of writers & photographers;
- This was originally a paper submitted to the African Union (AU) Experts’ Meeting on a Strategic Geopolitic Vision of Afro-Arab Relations. AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, 11-12 May, 2004 .
- Director, Centre for Advanced Study of African Societies, Cape Town, South Africa
- ISAF Mirror, October 2005, pg. 8.