**Implementation of the First Phase of the Imam Hussain (AS) Holy Shrine Expansion Project, Named the Courtyard and Prayer Hall of Hazrat Zainab (SA)**
**Holy Karbala**
**Implementation of the First Phase of the Imam Hussain (AS) Holy Shrine Expansion Project, Named the Courtyard and Prayer Hall of Hazrat Zainab (SA)*
The execution phase of the Imam Hussain (AS) Holy Shrine expansion project, named the Courtyard and Prayer Hall of Hazrat Zainab (SA), began in the winter of 2015 (1394 SH). It covers an area of 5 hectares with a total floor area of approximately 168,000 square meters.
This project is part of the comprehensive master plan for the development of the holy shrines in Karbala. The project’s design was created by Dr. Khan Mohammadi, a professor at Iran University of Science and Technology. It will be constructed on four floors on the southern and western sides of the holy shrine, between the Bab al-Ra’s and Bab al-Qiblah entrance gates, and near sacred sites such as the Khayamegah (Tent Site) and Tal Zaynabiyyah. The courtyard space will include two basement levels, a ground floor, and an upper floor.
Video Code | Download | Original Video
***The Story of the Lebanese Mystic’s Dream on the Night of the Project Contract Signing***
The naming of this project has a remarkable story, best told by the custodian of the Imam Hussain (AS) shrine. The story goes that a Shiite mystic from Lebanon contacted the custodian of the Imam Hussain (AS) shrine (Sheikh Mehdi Karbala’i) before the meeting to sign the project implementation memorandum. He recounted a dream he had:
Video Code | Download | Original Video
Given the project’s significance to Muslims and Shiites worldwide, computer-aided design and drafting commenced. The design, carried out by engineering elites and senior experts, was also well-received by the Iraqi counterparts.
The first step was identifying the project location, which you can see below.
Other initial images of the project include the following:
The construction conditions of the project were as follows:
The project’s complexity arose from having two floors underground and the high level of groundwater in the area. This required specific engineering techniques for excavation and implementation. Iranian engineers employed modern scientific methods and advanced equipment, such as hydro-mill cutters, to carry out the project.
**What spaces will the Imam Hussain (AS) Shrine Expansion Project include?**
The project and its courtyard will comprise pilgrimage prayer halls, open spaces, a library, a museum, a guest house (Dar al-Ziyafah), and more. A key feature is the reconstruction and revival of Tal Zainabiyyah in the form of a hill. The project’s phases were initially estimated to take 6 years to complete. Upon completion, the capacity for pilgrims will increase fivefold. The comprehensive master plan for the Imam Hussain (AS) shrine development, of which the Courtyard and Prayer Hall of Hazrat Zainab (SA) is only one part, will include other courtyards. It was designed by skilled Iranian engineers and is expected to be fully operational within 25 years. The Courtyard and Prayer Hall of Hazrat Zainab (SA) is being built in the first phase between the Khayamegah and the Hussaini holy shrine, while other phases are in the land acquisition stage.
One of the major challenges engineers and managers faced was the soil composition of Karbala and its high groundwater levels. These issues were successfully resolved through the efforts of the skilled and dedicated servants of the Ahl al-Bayt at the Committee for the Reconstruction of Holy Shrines, using hydro-mill cutters to install waterproof retaining walls.
After completing the hydro-mill work and conducting specialized tests, excavation began. This precise task required extreme care to avoid damaging the area. The aerial images below show the scale of the work, while the close-up shots demonstrate the precision of the Committee’s expert workforce.
Due to the project’s scale, foundation work and the construction of concrete structures began simultaneously during excavation.
Now, after years of work, a place has been built for the multitude of devotees and lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt near the celestial presence of the Master of Martyrs (AS). For us, your servants, lovers, and residents near the Ahl al-Bayt at the Committee for the Development and Reconstruction of Holy Shrines, this is an honor.
In the images below, you can see a small glimpse of the artistry of Iranian craftsmen.
Tags: Ongoing Project, Holy Karbala, Project Information, Courtyard of the Noblest Lady of Banu Hashim, Courtyard and Prayer Hall of Hazrat Zainab (SA), Hazrat Zainab (SA)
