Slide Show: Najaf's Imam Ali Shrine

IRAQ -- September 1, 2010 at 2:00 PM EDT

Slide Show: Najaf's Imam Ali Shrine

NAJAF, Iraq | The Imam Ali Mosque is considered the one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam. The NewsHour recently visited the shrine during Ramadan and watched as crowds grew throughout the evening. People gathered to pray, eat picnics in the rug-covered outdoor patios and meet with their families and friends.

Built in 977 over the tomb of Imam Ali, the mosque was reconstructed twice. After the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the mosque was the site of several attacks and used as a base by militia members. The gold-domed shrine underwent its latest renovations two years ago. The surrounding streets are lined with hotels for pilgrims. View a slide show of the mosque:

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Tune into Margaret Warner's broadcast reports about the issues at play in Iraq all this week on the NewsHour.

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