The Maqam of Khidr Elias is an historic sanctuary situated on a hill south of Tal Afar and traditionally associated with al-Khidr, the righteous servant…
The Maqam of Khidr Elias is an historic sanctuary situated on a hill south of Tal Afar and traditionally associated with al-Khidr, the righteous servant encountered by Nabi Musa ﷺ in the Qur'an. Known locally as Khidr Elias, his memory has been venerated in the region for generations, and the maqam has become an important place of visitation for the Muslim communities of Tal Afar as well as other local religious communities. The precise origins of the sanctuary are uncertain, although historical tradition records an Ottoman document referring to the site by the late eighteenth century. The maqam is particularly associated with the annual Khidr Elias festival, during which local families gather at the hill and maintain longstanding devotional and cultural traditions. The building was destroyed during the ISIS occupation of the area in 2014 and was subsequently rebuilt by the local community.