Security sources said Wednesday that ISIS extremists destroyed Arbaeen Wali shrine in the militant-held city of Tikrit.

Security sources said Wednesday that ISIS extremists have destroyed the Arbaeen Wali shrine in the militant-held city of Tikrit.

According to Al Arabiya News Channel correspondent Jawad al-Hatab, ISIS bombed the Arabeen shrine, which houses the tombs of 40 “martyrs” who spear-headed the establishment of Tikrit as a major city during Islam’s expansion in 637 CE.

The Arbaeen shrine is located on a road connecting Tikrit with Iraq’s second largest city Mosul and the capital Baghdad.

Thousands of people visit the shrine annually.

An academic in Tikrit, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the shrine was constructed when Islamic architecture was at its peak or creativity.

“It was an Islamic school like those of al-Mustansariya in Baghdad, al-Mamilya in Cairo and Sabina in central Asia,” he said, adding “we found words scribbled by a visitor in 1262.”

Al-Mustansariya, established in 1227, was one of the oldest universities in the world.

Security sources said Wednesday that ISIS extremists have destroyed the Arbaeen Wali shrine in the militant-held city of Tikrit.

According to Al Arabiya News Channel correspondent Jawad al-Hatab, ISIS bombed the Arabeen shrine, which houses the tombs of 40 “martyrs” who spear-headed the establishment of Tikrit as a major city during Islam’s expansion in 637 CE.

The Arbaeen shrine is located on a road connecting Tikrit with Iraq’s second largest city Mosul and the capital Baghdad.

Thousands of people visit the shrine annually.

An academic in Tikrit, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the shrine was constructed when Islamic architecture was at its peak or creativity.

“It was an Islamic school like those of al-Mustansariya in Baghdad, al-Mamilya in Cairo and Sabina in central Asia,” he said, adding “we found words scribbled by a visitor in 1262.”

Al-Mustansariya, established in 1227, was one of the oldest universities in the world.

Picture of the shrine before it was bombed.

 
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