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Controversial Mosque Draws Millions

Jamkaran is said to be Iran’s most popular mosque, attracting millions of worshippers a year to the site near the Shia holy city of Qom - but the stories that surround it are relatively new.
By IWPR contributors - Iran
IRN Issue 34,
4 May 10
  • Pilgrims gather last year outside Jamkaran mosque, on the eve of Imam Zaman's birthday. (Photo: Mehdi Marizad)
  • Many pilgrims come to Jamkaran on Tuesday nights, put up tents and leave the following day. (Photo: Mehdi Marizad)
  • Religious organisations all over Iran send caravans of pilgrims to Jamkaran. Thousands make pilgrimage on foot. (Photo: Amir Hesaminejad)
  • A pilgrim prays and beseeches Imam Zaman to tend to his needs. (Photo: Amir Hesaminejad)
  • Young people who have walked six kilometres from Qom to Jamkaran. (Photo: Mehdi Marizad)
  • People who've come to Jamkaran on the 21st night of Ramadan place Korans on their heads while praying. Shia believe that they should stay up on this night and pray until morning because a person's fate in the coming year is determined on this night. (Photo: Mehdi Marizad)
  • Two women kiss the Mihrab of the mosque - a niche in the wall which points worshippers to Mecca. (Photo: Yalda Moayeri)
  • People staying up on the 21st night of Ramadan. They ask for their sins to be forgiven and good fortune for the year ahead. (Photo: Mehdi Marizad)
  • Enacting the traditional ta'zieh in Jamkaran. The ta'zieh is a form of Iranian theatre that recounts the story of the martyrdom of the 3rd Shia Imam at the hands of the Caliph of the time. (Photo: Amir Hesaminejad)
  • A Revolutionary Guards helicopter taking off from Jamkaran. There is a heavy metal standard on the ground that will be placed on one of mosque's domes. (Photo: Amir Hesaminejad)
  • Pilgrims buy a slip of paper to write down requests for Imam Zaman, then throw them down a well. (Photo: Amir Hesaminejad)
  • Pilgrims weep as they throw their request slips for Imam Zaman down a well. The notes are collected every 2-3 months and recycled for use by other pilgrims. (Photo: Amir Hesaminejad)
  • Every year before Ramadan, staff sweep and wash the mosque. (Photo: Mehdi Marizad)
  • Shia believe that Imam Zaman will come out of hiding one Friday and take over the world and deliver justice. On a banner placed on the entrance of the mosque it is written, "Maybe he will come this Friday. Maybe he will reveal his face." (Photo: Mehdi Marizad)
  • This mountain is believed to the place where Imam Zaman will establish his army. (Photo: Mehdi Marizad)

The faithful come in the hope of seeing the 12th Shia Imam reappear. Some think their medical problems or financial woes will be eased by prayer here. Others say the whole thing is a pile of baloney cooked up to boost the standing of the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Also known as Muhammad al-Mahdi, Imam Zaman is considered by Shia to be the 12th Imam or Mahdi – the ultimate saviour of mankind. He was born in 869 but did not die – instead he was hidden by God to later return, they believe.

Also in this issue

Ahmadinejad Promoted Shrine Draws Millions
Iranian government support boosts attendance but some say myths are bogus.
Controversial Mosque Draws Millions
Jamkaran is said to be Iran’s most popular mosque, attracting millions of worshippers a year to the site near the Shia holy city of Qom - but the stories that surround it are relatively new.
Iran Encourages Journalists to Flee
Exiled media corps grows but struggles to make an impact back home.