Jamkaran Mosque

Famous mosque is an important pilgrim center for Shia Muslims who are followers of the Twelve Imams. This pilgrimage site is Located near Qom that is called Jamkaran Mosque. The Mosque draws pilgrims from all parts of Iran as well as other countries, who stream in to Qom where all roads head to the mosque on Tuesday evenings. The Masjid was built in the year 393 AH (1003 by the Gregorian calendar) by Hassan Bin Maslah by the order of Imam Madi (A.S), the Twelfth Imam of the Shia Isna Ashari Muslims. It is believed that the Holy Imam himself visits the mosque complex every Tuesday night which is why several Thousands Shia pilgrims converge here on that day.

 

Description

Shias widely believe that the Imam has said that his followers must pray four Rakaat Salaat in this Masjid, the benefits of which are equivalent to praying inside Khane Ka'aba in Mecca. There is a well behind the mosque and it is customary for pilgrims to write an areeza asking the Imam to take their petitions and pleas to Allah and put them in this well.

The mosque is an architectural masterpiece which celebrates Persian art in every corner. Jamkaran Mosque's blue and green domes with minarets decorated with Persian tiles stand out vividly against the clear sky attracting your attention even as you drive towards the complex. The sprawling complex has a number of gates and one can get lost in the crowd. There is a help desk in place and you can always approach them if the need arises. If you are visiting the complex on a Tuesday evening and would like to participate in congregational prayers then go early. The mosque tends to get very crowded and attendants have to close the doors when it is packed to capacity so as to avoid overcrowding and the possibility of stampedes.

History of Jamkaran Mosque

Getting back in time to the point when the decision upon building the mosque was made, we encounter Hassan Ebn Mesleh Jamkarani. It is said that this man had a meeting with the 12th Imam of Shia, Imam Zaman (Saheb Al Zaman), in which the Imam ordered him on building the mosque.This mosque has been repaired and renovated several times since its construction. The mosque has had a small building before the Revolution of Iran but has improved a lot after that. It is interesting to know that the government of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad donated 10£ million to fund the project of expanding the small mosque into a massive mosque.