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Iraq's dubious religious shrines

The Shiite residents of Babil keep visiting religious shrines as they believe in their healing character, although historical information contradicts their beliefs.

A general view shows the shrine containing the tomb of Jewish prophet Ezekiel in the Iraqi town of Kifl, south of Baghdad, March 25, 2015. Picture taken March 25, 2015.  REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTR4UYH9
A general view shows the shrine containing the tomb of Jewish Prophet Ezekiel in the Iraqi town of Kifl, south of Baghdad, March 25, 2015. — REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani

BABIL, Iraq — Religious monuments, mostly shrines of historical and religious figures, are spread across Iraq. However, the Babil governorate (100 kilometers, or 62 miles, south of Baghdad) is unique, having a large number of prophets and saints’ shrines of different religions. According to the information engraved on every tomb, these prophets and saints had passed through, dwelled or died in the city.

In the city of Hillah, the provincial capital, lies the tomb of Nabi Ayoub on the Shatt al-Hilla, which is a branch of the Euphrates River. Nabi Ayoub is also known as Job in the bible. 

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