Rusafa or Al-Rasafa () is one of the nine administrative districts in Baghdad, Iraq, on the eastern side of the River Tigris (on the west side of which is Al-Karkh). It is one of the old quarters of Baghdad, situated in the heart of the city, The Rasafa side is one of the main parts of the city of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. Along with Karkh, it forms the essential components of the city, with the Tigris River flowing between them. The Rasafa side is known for its numerous cultural and historical landmarks, including the Old City, the Republic Bridge, and various markets and residential areas. and is home to a number of public squares housing important monumental artworks.
Description This district is an older area on the eastern side of Baghdad; its central commercial area, a centre of markets considered one of the four old central business districts of Baghdad (Karkh, Rusafa, Adhamiyah and Kadhimiya). It includes many urban features which have become landmarks including Firdos Square and Liberation Square, the biggest landmark in Baghdad and one of the most visited. It has also been home to a number of monumental artworks including the Monument to the Unknown Soldier (1959–2002) designed by local architect, Rifat Chadirji;Bernhardsson, M.T., "Visions of the Past: Modernizing the Past in 1950s Baghdad," in Sandy Isenstadt and Kishwar Rizvi, Modernism and the Middle East: Architecture and Politics in the Twentieth Century, University of Washington Press, 2008, p.92 a statue of Saddam Hussein (2002–2003) by local sculptor Khalid Ezzat, which was replaced by Freedom by local sculptor Bassem Hamad al-Dawiri, all located in Firdos Square."New Statue Replaces Saddam", BBC News, 30 May 2003,Online: The Freedom Monument (Nasb al-Hurriyah), a work by architect Rifat Chadirji and sculptor Jawad Saleem is Baghdad's most iconic work, and is situated in Liberation Square.Al-Khalil, S. and Makiya, K., The Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Iraq, University of California Press, 1991, p. 83 The sculpture of Shahriyar and Scheherazade by sculptor Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, situated on the banks of the Tigris River near Abu Nuwas Street, is another example of Iraqi art featured in the area.Al-Khalil, S. and Makiya, K., The Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Iraq, University of California Press, 1991, p. 74 Neighbourhoods of Rusafa district include Bab Al-Moatham and Al-Sa'adoon.
Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gilani
Another prominent shrine in this district is that of the Hanbali Sufi saint, Abdul Qadir Gilani, who founded the Qadiriyya order. The complex consist of a mosque, mausoleum, and the library known as Qadiriyya Library, which contains various books for Islam.
Mausoluem of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal
The Arif Agha Mosque () contains the purported mausoleum () and grave of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, founder of the Hanbali school of thought. The present structure is a 1998 reconstruction of an earlier Ottoman-period structure. It is visited by pilgrims worldwide, similar to the aforementioned mausoleum of Abdul Qadir al-Jilani. Since 2003, the site has been under the management of the Sunni Endowment Office of Iraq.
Meir Taweig Synagogue
Meir Taweig Synagogue, also known as Meir Taweig Abraham Synagogue, is a large compound in Bataween, which consists of a synagogue, a Jewish school and a library. It is the only active synagogue in Baghdad, where remaining Jews manage.
See also List of places in Iraq List of neighborhoods and districts in Baghdad
References
External links Public Domain army.mil shots of "Clearing Rusafa" Washington Post Article
Imam Ahmad Mosque مسجد أحمد بن حنبل (in Arabic) Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal | Makam of Imam Hanbal (YouTube) صلاة الجمعة من جامع احمد بن حنبل – بغداد مرقد إلامام احمد بن حمبل في #بغداد