A short drive south of Babylon, this town (pop. 243,000), along with Karbala, is one of the most sacred Shiite Muslim towns in the world. It is most famous for the Mosque of Kufah (which houses the shrine of the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the founder of the Shiite sect of Islam). Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the tomb. It has a gilded dome and minarets and is a place where pilgrims offer gifts. The town and its attractions were heavily damaged during the rebellions that followed the Gulf War. The government has since tried to restore the area. 90 mi/145 km south of Baghdad.
