Ṣaḥn Sayyidah Fāṭima al-Zahrāʾ is the most significant expansion project in the modern history of the maqām of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib in Najaf, and one of the…
Ṣaḥn Sayyidah Fāṭima al-Zahrāʾ is the most significant expansion project in the modern history of the maqām of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib in Najaf, and one of the largest religious construction projects in the Islamic world. Named in honour of Sayyidah Fāṭima — the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ and wife of ʿAlī — the courtyard was built as a major extension to the existing Ḥaydarī maqām complex, more than quadrupling its capacity. The project covers over 60,000 square metres adjacent to the maqām of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, rising across four floors containing vast halls for the accommodation, prayer, and visitation of pilgrims. Its architecture reflects the highest traditions of Islamic decorative art — intricate tilework, calligraphic friezes, mirrored vaulting, and proportions designed to evoke the sacred gravity of the site it adjoins. A six-floor museum is incorporated into the complex to house the historic gifts and treasures of the maqām, some dating back over four centuries, alongside a large library and administrative facilities. Underground car parking and a dedicated tunnel system were built to manage the flow of vehicles, particularly during the millions-strong gatherings of the Arbaʿīn pilgrimage. The project was implemented through the ʿAlawi Maqām Authority in partnership with the Shia Waqf and specialist engineers from Iraq and Iran. The inauguration of its final phase took place in late 2025 with an international ceremony attended by senior religious and governmental figures. With the addition of this ṣaḥn, the total area of the ʿAlawi maqām complex now reaches approximately 140,000 square metres — a transformation that honours the memory of Sayyidah Fāṭima while serving the ever-growing numbers of pilgrims who come to Najaf from across the world.