Local tradition ascribes the construction of the mosque to be in the 7th century.[3][5][6][4] The traditional account states that the mosque was formerly a monastery for the Nestorian Christians, managed by a monk named Hebar. When Hebar met with Ali ibn Abi Talib, he accepted Islam and converted the monastery into an Islamic place of worship.[3][5][6] The mosque in that form existed until the 10th century, when the Abbasid Caliph Al-Radi ordered the demolition of the mosque as an attack against the Shi'ite communities.[2] After the mosque was demolished, locals complained of the matter to the governor of Baghdad, whom rebuilt the mosque and inscribed the name of the Caliph Al-Radi there to prevent it from being demolished.[2][1]
Modern history
Renovations to the mosque happened in the years 1659 and 1933.[3][5][6] In 1955, the mosque was completely rebuilt with local efforts, and two new minarets were introduced to the structure.[5][3][6]
Religious significance
The mihrab of the Buratha Mosque
The Buratha Mosque is a significant holy place for Twelver Shi'ites due to its association with Ali ibn Abi Talib.[6][3][5] It is narrated in Shi'ite holy books that Ali rested here after a fight with the Khawarij.[6][3][5] Another miraculous event reported by the Shi'ites is that Ali struck a stone in the floor of the mosque, which revealed a fresh spring.[6][3][5]
Christian significance
Some have believed that the rock in the mosque belongs to the Virgin Mary.[3][5] It is also believed that Patriarch Abraham and subsequent Patriarchs after him prayed at the site, and one of such Patriarchs is buried in the mosque.[4]
In 2006, three suicide bombers, two out of three disguised as women, detonated themselves in the mosque compound, leaving 85 dead and 160 wounded.[7] The attack was also a targeted attack against the Iraqi politician Jalaluddin al-Saghir, who was present in the mosque at the time as its main preacher. However, Saghir was not harmed by the attacks.[8]
