THE SHRINE OF HAZRAT ALI (BLUE MOSQUE), AFGHANISTAN

The Shrine of Hazrat Ali

The Shrine of Hazrat Ali, also known as the Blue Mosque, is a mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. It is one of the reputed burial places of Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in law of Muhammad. The mazar is the building which gives the city in which it is located, Mazar-i-Sharif (meaning "Tomb of the Exalted") its name.

According to Shi'a Muslim belief, Ali was originally buried by his two sons, Hasan and Husayn in an undisclosed location, which was later made known by the great, grandson of Husayn and Sixth Shi'a Imam, Ja'far as-Sadiq - as the grave that is found within Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf, Iraq.

Throughout Afghanistan, buildings with tall minarets, bulb-shaped domes, and colorfully painted tiles dot the landscape. Many are mosques and tombs built to honor religious figures and important Afghan heroes. The Blue Mosque, in Mazar-e-Sharif, has tiles that look like they are painted with flowers, but the floral patterns are actually made from tiles cut into different shapes and plastered together.

Throughout Afghanistan, buildings with tall minarets, bulb-shaped domes, and colorfully painted tiles dot the landscape. Many are mosques and tombs built to honor religious figures and important Afghan heroes. The Blue Mosque, in Mazar-e-Sharif, has tiles that look like they are painted with flowers, but the floral patterns are actually made from tiles cut into different shapes and plastered together.

Origin :
http://www.scoop.it/t/islamic-heritage