Qom Jame Mosque

Qom’s Jame’ Mosque is a gem in the glory of Qom’s religious and historic monuments. The construction of the earliest parts in the mosque was completed in the 6th century, making it the second oldest mosque in Iran. Most of the decorative art (like the wonderful plasterwork of the domes and deep blue tiles) however was added later during Safavid era. The lofty minarets, grand yard and iwans echo the great Jame’ mosques of Isfahan and Yazd. Each of the splendid structures in Qom has its own story. The story behind Fatimah Masumeh Shrine for example tells of a sister on her way to reunite with her beloved brother (Imam Ridha, Shia’s 8th Imam) and is attacked by the enemy. They murder most of the travelers including prominent members of her family. Fatima is taken hostage and according to some sources was poisoned. On her deathbed she asks the few remaining followers to bury her in Qom. The event became a pivotal point in the history of the city. The murder and imprisonment of the lineage of the prophet were in vain to hinder their growing popularity. The Shia built glorious shrines on the burial sites of the martyrs and turned every one of them a major front against the brutality of the caliphs. Fatimah Masumeh Shrine in Qom is one such monument. The golden dome of the shrine fills the believers’ hearts with a sense of hope and spirituality. The hope is for the second coming of the savior, Mahdi. Shia Muslims believe that the son of Hasan ibn Ali, their 11th Imam will return to save the believers and oppressed of the world from the chains of tyrants. Many believers hold that the Jamkarn Mosque in Qom is the place where Imam Mahdi was last seen. As a result, the mosque and its surrounding are considered sacred ground. The story behind another attraction in Qom namely Imam Khomeini's House revolves around Iran's contemporary history. Before being known as the spiritual leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini lived in Qom in a humble residence. Imam Khomeini House in Qom was the house where the future leader spent time with his family, a wife and five children. The house has a beautiful Qajar architecture and is a National Heritage Site. Among the stalwart followers of Imam Khomeini were the Bazaaris. The traders of Qom’s Great Bazaar have played a pivotal role in furthering the course of political struggle in the modern history of Iran. Speaking of the Bazaar, Qom’s Great Timcheh is a significant historic site in this labyrinth of trade and is known for its magnificence architecture. For most people, Qom’s tourist attractions are limited to religious and historic sites. However, Qom’s Tours have a lot to offer besides the city’s rich collection of religious and historic monuments. Along with the spectacular sites mentioned above, Qom’s day tours also include desert trips. All in all, several times in the year during religious red-letter days, Qom welcomes thousands of travelers. To house such a huge crowd of people, Qom’s hotels offer superb service. Fancy hotels such Parsia, International, Esteghlal, Jamil and Melal provide their guests with top-rated facilities and service. Other less luxurious hotels and guesthouses are also available with excellent service and more modest prices. An exciting new event in Qom is the establishment of hostels. These hostels are very popular with the backpackers and other economy travelers.

11/15/2017 9:04:12 PM