The history of Islam in Iraq goes back almost 1,400 years to the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, with many cities throughout Iraq being blessed with huge historical prominence for both Shia/Sunni Muslims, with cities such as Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad and Samarra. For example, the city of Najaf contains the tomb of the fourth caliph, Hazrat Ali , who is also the cousin and son-in law of the Prophet ﷺ. The city is a centre of pilgrimage for many Muslims throughout the world and  it is estimated that only Mecca and Medina receive more Muslim pilgrims.

The city of Baghdad was a hub for Islamic learning and scholarship for many centuries and contains the graves and tombs of many Sufi saints. It contains the shrine of the great, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (upon be peace), also known as Hazoor Gaus Paak, who is the most popular and revered Saint of Islam and the founder of the Qadriya order. The city of Baghdad also contains the graves of Islam’s most early prominent scholars and Imams, which include: Imam Azam Abu Hanifa, Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi, Imam Ghazali, Hazrat Maroof Karkhi, Hazrat Behlul Dana (upon all be peace).