- Mausoleum of Khomeini
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Mausoleum of Ayatullah Khomeini 
The tomb of Ayatullah Khomeini at Behesht-e Zahra
Basic information Location 
Tehran, IranGeographic coordinates 35°32′57″N 51°21′59″E / 35.5492°N 51.3665°ECoordinates: 35°32′57″N 51°21′59″E / 35.5492°N 51.3665°E Affiliation Shia Islam The Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini houses the tomb of Ruhollah Moosavi Khomeini and Ahmad Khomeini, his second son who died in 1995. It is located to the south of Tehran in the Behesht-e Zahra (the Paradise of Zahra) cemetery. Construction commenced in 1989 following Khomeini's death on June 3 of that year. It is still under construction, but when completed will be the centerpiece in a complex spread over 5,000 acres (20 km2),[1] housing a cultural and tourist center, a university for Islamic studies, a seminary, a shopping mall, and a 20,000-car parking lot.[2] [1] The Iranian government has reportedly devoted US$2 billion to this development.[2]
The site is a place of pilgrimage for followers of Khomeini. It is used symbolically by government figures, and is on occasion visited by foreign dignitaries.[3] Khomeini's grandson Hassan Khomeini is in charge of caring for the mausoleum.[4]
On June 20, 2009 a suicide bomb attack reportedly occurred near the site of the Mausoleum, according to Iranian state-controlled media.[5]
Contents
Specifications
Grave of Khomeini within the Mosque
The architect of the tomb was Mohammed Tehrani.[1] The exterior of the shrine complex is a highly recognizable landmark. It has a gold dome sitting on a high drum, surrounded by four free-standing minarets. The shrine is surrounded by a large rectangular plaza which has been designed to hold vast numbers of visitors. With its size, inclusion of a qibla wall and a maqsura, the tomb resembles a mosque, but has been called an Hussainia.[6]
Inside, Khomeini's sarcophagus is centrally placed under the gilded dome. The dome sits above a transition zone with two layers of clerestories, decorated with stained glass depicting tulips (an Iranian symbol of martyrdom). The dome is supported by eight large marble columns that circle the sarcophagus, that together with other smaller columns support the space frame ceiling. The ceiling is also punctuated by clerestories. The floor and wall surfaces are made of polished white marble. The floor is covered with fine carpets.
Mausoleum of Khomeini at nightNon-Muslims are allowed inside the complex.[7]
See also
Media related to Mausoleum of Ayatullah Khomeini at Wikimedia Commons- Behesht-e Zahra
- Holiest sites in Islam (Shia)
- Imām Ridhā Mosque
- Fatimah al-Ma'sūmah Mosque
- Shāh Abdol Azīm Mosque
References
- ^ a b c Khomeini Tomb
- ^ a b Khomeini's Tomb Attracts Pilgrims - New York Times
- ^ FarsiNet News - News related to Iran, Iranians and Persians - June 1997
- ^ Khomeini's grandson speaks out on Iran military | France 24
- ^ Suicide bomber attacks Khomeini shrine in Iran
- ^ Kaplan, Robert, Ends of the Earth, A journey at the Dawn of the 21st Century, Random House, 1996, p.179
- ^ Mehr-e-Khavar Iran In Brief
External links
Agha Bozorg Mosque • Al-Nabi Mosque, Qazvin • Atigh Jame' Mosque • Ayatullah Khomeini Mosque • Blue Mosque, Tabriz • Fatima al-Masumeh Shrine • Goharshad Mosque • Hajj Shahbazkhan Mosque • Imām Ridhā Mosque • Imamzadeh Hamzah, Tabriz • Imamzadeh Ja'far, Borujerd • Imamzadeh Saleh, Shemiran • Jameh Mosque of Borujerd • Jameh Mosque of Ferdows • Jameh Mosque of Isfahan • Jameh Mosque of Nain • Jameh Atiq Mosque of Qazvin • Jameh Mosque of Saveh • Jameh Mosque of Tabriz • Jameh Mosque of Yazd • Jameh Mosque of Zanjan • Jamkaran • Monar Jonban • Nasir al-Mulk Mosque • Ribat-i Sharaf • Shāh Abdol Azīm Mosque • Shah Cheragh • Shah Mosque • Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque • Soltani Mosque of Borujerd • Vakil Mosque • Jameh Mosque of Ashtarjan
Category – Islam in Iran – Mosques by country Categories:- Buildings and structures in Tehran
- Mausoleums
- Monuments and memorials in Iran
- Ruhollah Khomeini
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