Qubbat Sitnā Zaynab (Arabic: قُبَّة سِتْنَا زَيْنَب, romanized: Mausoleum of Sitna Zaynab) is a mosque and mausoleum located in Sinjar, in the Ninawa Governorate. The original mausoleum building was built in 1239 CE by Badr al-Din Lu'lu' as part of a ruling strategy to promote Shia Islam by sponsoring the erection of shrines and tombs dedicated to Imams throughout the Ninawa Governorate.[1]
The reconstructed shrine of Sayyida Zaynab in 2019, after the shrine was detonated by ISIL in 2014
Before demolition (12th century – 2014)
The main part of the mausoleum, the shrine and tomb of Zaynab, is a large chamber topped with a conical ribbed dome.[5] The dome's structure is similar to the dome seen on the Mashhad Imam Awn Al-Din in Mosul. The tomb itself is a stone sarcophagus with Quranic inscriptions on it.[6]
Next to Sayyidah Zaynab's mausoleum is a musalla. It is topped by a ribbed circular dome and contains a mihrab made out of gypsum. The mihrab occupies the entire Qibla wall.[7] Other rooms have been added to the building but do not feature any decorations.
When the shrine was rebuilt in 2019, it differed greatly from the original structure. A zarih was constructed around the sarcophagus as well. The ruined shrine was reconstructed in 2019 and its reconstruction was overseen by the Imam Ali Brigades, an Iranian-backed Shiaparamilitary group.[9] The new building sports a golden dome with a mirrored ceiling, granite columns and marble floor.[10]
