Muslim Travel Guide Iran Qom: Fatima Masumeh Shrine Mosque, Mirror Hall and Mazar Courtyard
Reposted from the web
Summary: This Iran Muslim travel guide visits the Fatima Masumeh Shrine Mosque in Qom, with its security check, large courtyards, shoe storage, mirror-covered halls, tiled gates, huge dome, dazzling interior surfaces, and the author's first experience inside a large mazar-style shrine mosque.
I left Tehran by bus for Qom. The most eye-catching building in this small city is the mazar-style shrine of Fatima Masumeh, who was the daughter of a great imam, not the daughter of the Prophet. There is a security check at the entrance of the shrine, where men and women enter separately to be screened.
I could not take my action camera inside my bag, so I had to leave it at the storage counter by the door. However, I was allowed to bring my phone inside. Couldn't I just take photos and videos with my phone anyway?
Entering the shrine mosque, you first walk into a large courtyard, and after passing through that, you reach another courtyard. The site covers a large area, and this was the first large-scale shrine mosque I had ever visited.
Inside, there are all kinds of shrine elements, including dazzling tiles, intricate gates, a massive dome, and sparkling interior decorations.
To go inside, however, you must first take off your shoes and leave them at the storage area by the door. The staff gives you a tag, and when you come out, you just show the tag to get your shoes back.
Once inside, I realized the indoor area of the building was even larger than the outdoor area. Looking up, you can see a shimmering prism ceiling. Carefully cut pieces of mirror are attached one by one to the ceiling and walls, creating a truly stunning effect.
(Photos 6 to 10)
I noticed that besides Iranians, there were also some Pakistanis wearing robes with rounded hems. The robes were also quite short. I also saw some Arabs wearing headscarves and heard people talking in Arabic.
In the prayer line, I saw a Black man wearing an African silk robe and a tall, brimless prayer cap. I had heard early on that there are African students in Iran, so maybe he is one of them.
I also noticed many people crowding around the tomb to look inside, so I joined in, but I couldn't see anything because it was very blurry inside (Photo 9).
People say Fatima Masumeh is buried here. She was the sister of the eighth Shia Imam, Ali al-Ridha, and the daughter of the seventh Imam, Musa al-Kadhim.
Further inside is the prayer area. It is truly huge and is likely one of the largest mosques I have visited so far.
After leaving the courtyard, I saw a group of people carrying a body into the mosque. They will probably hold a funeral prayer for him here soon.
Summary: This Iran Muslim travel guide visits the Fatima Masumeh Shrine Mosque in Qom, with its security check, large courtyards, shoe storage, mirror-covered halls, tiled gates, huge dome, dazzling interior surfaces, and the author's first experience inside a large mazar-style shrine mosque.
I left Tehran by bus for Qom. The most eye-catching building in this small city is the mazar-style shrine of Fatima Masumeh, who was the daughter of a great imam, not the daughter of the Prophet. There is a security check at the entrance of the shrine, where men and women enter separately to be screened.
I could not take my action camera inside my bag, so I had to leave it at the storage counter by the door. However, I was allowed to bring my phone inside. Couldn't I just take photos and videos with my phone anyway?
Entering the shrine mosque, you first walk into a large courtyard, and after passing through that, you reach another courtyard. The site covers a large area, and this was the first large-scale shrine mosque I had ever visited.
Inside, there are all kinds of shrine elements, including dazzling tiles, intricate gates, a massive dome, and sparkling interior decorations.
To go inside, however, you must first take off your shoes and leave them at the storage area by the door. The staff gives you a tag, and when you come out, you just show the tag to get your shoes back.
Once inside, I realized the indoor area of the building was even larger than the outdoor area. Looking up, you can see a shimmering prism ceiling. Carefully cut pieces of mirror are attached one by one to the ceiling and walls, creating a truly stunning effect.
(Photos 6 to 10)
I noticed that besides Iranians, there were also some Pakistanis wearing robes with rounded hems. The robes were also quite short. I also saw some Arabs wearing headscarves and heard people talking in Arabic.
In the prayer line, I saw a Black man wearing an African silk robe and a tall, brimless prayer cap. I had heard early on that there are African students in Iran, so maybe he is one of them.
I also noticed many people crowding around the tomb to look inside, so I joined in, but I couldn't see anything because it was very blurry inside (Photo 9).
People say Fatima Masumeh is buried here. She was the sister of the eighth Shia Imam, Ali al-Ridha, and the daughter of the seventh Imam, Musa al-Kadhim.
Further inside is the prayer area. It is truly huge and is likely one of the largest mosques I have visited so far.
After leaving the courtyard, I saw a group of people carrying a body into the mosque. They will probably hold a funeral prayer for him here soon.
