The world's largest cemetery Wadi al-Salam, which means "Valley of Death"

The tradition of the majority of religions of the world is the tradition of the bodies of the deceased. For the years of the civilization's existence, the planet has become covered with a network of "cities of the dead", where billions of deceased have found refuge. And where is the world's largest cemetery? The answer to this question is given in this article.

The sacred place of the three religions

The Old Testament calls the place of the Last Judgment Josaphatu Valley, revered as Christians, and Jews and Muslims. The burial place of King Jehoshaphat is located in the east of Jerusalem, which is crossed from north to south by the Kidron (Iosaphatov) valley , 35 kilometers long. On its bottom flows the Kidron Creek, whose purest waters flow into the Dead Sea. Here for the representatives of the three religions is not one cemetery. Kedron Valley is famous for Hebrew, where in the rock are carved:

• The Tomb of Absalom (I-II centuries BC).
• The tombs of Jehoshaphat and Zechariah, the sons of Hazir.
• Family burial of Bnei Hazir.

Christians in the valley have their holy places - the tomb of the Apostle James and the Blessed Virgin.

About a million people have found their shelter here. It is believed that the deceased in the Kidron Valley will be the first to meet with the Almighty, so the places for burial are extremely expensive - from 1 million dollars. The Hebrew cemetery is multilayered: on each site of the grave, representatives of different eras are set one above the other. To know was buried in crypts that have survived to this day. Despite the fact that the places in the cemetery are bought up for many years ahead, it is not the largest in the world.

Western Hemisphere: Golgotha Cemetery

Three million people are buried in New York. The cemetery bears the name of Mount Calvary and is divided into four sectors, separated from each other. It was founded by Catholics in 1848. On the eve, after a terrible epidemic of cholera, the authorities were forced to resolve burials outside the city, at the time consisting of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Non-profit organizations were allowed to own private cemeteries, which led to their commercialization. After the growth of the city of Golgotha was in the area, called Quince. On its lands today are 29 "cities of the dead" with a population of five million, which twice exceeds the number of inhabitants of the region.

But this is not the world's largest cemetery. It is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and is known for the fact that it is here that the most famous people of New York are buried: from mayors to gangsters. Here, "buried" and Don Corleone ("The Godfather" F. Coppola).

Military Cemetery

The graves of John F. Kennedy and his widow, John Dulles, the dead astronauts and other outstanding personalities of the United States are in the military pogost in the suburbs of Washington. кладбище предназначалось для солдат, павших в годы Гражданской войны. Founded in 1865, the Arlington cemetery was intended for soldiers who died during the Civil War. Over time, the rules of burial began to be regulated by the US authorities, which turned the necropolis into one of the most honorable places. Arlington Cemetery is intended for military personnel and their families, as well as persons who have merit to the country.

To date, it has about 320 thousand graves, but its territory is one of the most significant in the world (two and a half square kilometers). The example shows that prolonged military actions are the reason for the growth of the "city of the dead."

The most belligerent state

The Middle East is the most complex ethno-religious region, where Kurds do not have their own state, and Sunnis and Shiites treat Islam in different ways. Sunnism is the prerogative of the Arabs, and Shiism is Persian, although there are many exceptions. The militants of IGIL profess Sunnism, which was favored by S. Hussein's regime. Since the beginning of the US operation in Iraq, 13 years have passed, but it is already clear to everyone today that the occupation of the country was illegal. This is an act of direct aggression, which did not end with the withdrawal of troops in 2010. Supporting the Shiites, the Americans provoked a serious civil war, a series of terrorist attacks and a surge of violence.

It is easy to guess that the world's largest cemetery is located on the territory of Iraq, dragged into a bloody slaughterhouse. The southern city of Najaf, sacred to the Shiites, annually receives millions of pilgrims, yielding in number only to Mecca and Medina. It is here that the "city of the dead" is located, the first burials of which date back to the 7th century AD.

Wadi al-Salam in Najaf

The name of the cemetery is known to any Muslim. Here, the first imam, Ali, is buried, which is one of the disagreements between Sunnis and Shiites. The son-in-law and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad is included in the shahada of every Shia. That is why any representative of this religion dreams to rest next to a friend of Allah. Believers talk about miracles occurring in the cemetery. The chosen one is the spirit of the Imam, in whose return and just rule everyone believes in the future. Hundreds of soldiers and civilians are buried daily in a gigantic area of more than six square kilometers.

Before the death, Shi'ah willed relatives in any part of the country to transport their bodies to Najaf. The literal translation of the name of the cemetery sounds like a "valley of death," where there is a burial place on every square meter. It is believed that more than 6 million people found here the last refuge.

Years of War

Since 2003, when the Americans invaded Iraq, the rebels hid among the tombs, hoping for the help of Allah. In 2004, real fights went on its territory, leaving the destruction and funnels from the explosions. In those days, up to 250-300 people were buried. All ceremonies were respected even under the threat of shelling. The bodies were washed and wrapped in a white shroud. Funeral prayers were read in the tomb of Ali, after which the deceased were thrice thrust around the mausoleum of Imam Mahdi. The gravestones were sprinkled with holy water, the line after which is constantly being built at the entrance to the mausoleum.

The cemetery has never been subjected to shelling, the order on it is provided by the federal services. They also bury the military, but their graves are under the protection of religion. The stone plates are read by the Qur'an relatives who come from all over Iraq. In the mausoleum of Imam Mahdi every Thursday, a mandatory prayer is performed - prayer.

Interesting Facts

• Curiously, in Najaf itself the population is less than a million people, while the "Valley of Death" exceeds its number by a factor of 6-7. The exact number of dead is not able to name anyone.
• The density of burials contradicts sanitary norms, but this does not prevent the cemetery from remaining operational.
• UNESCO proposed to include burials in the list of objects of the most important world significance. This was opposed by the American command, demanding that the decision be postponed. It has not been accepted so far.
• The graves are made of gypsum and burnt bricks. Local rich people build family crypts, including underground ones, where long stairs lead.
• If a Muslim is betrayed to the earth elsewhere, this is not a contraindication for reburial in Najjab.
• The graves of the 30-40's are distinguished among others thanks to the three-meter height of the rounded spiers.

Afterword

The world's largest cemetery has grown by 40% as a result of the military actions of recent years. This confirms the hypothesis that such dimensions of the "city of the dead" are impossible in a peaceful, tranquil region. War is the main evil that turns the territory of the countries of the Middle East into a region where there are more dead than the living.