Blue Mosque (Shrine of Ali) Tourism

Religious Site4.5(55 reviews)

About Blue Mosque (Shrine of Ali)

The Blue Mosque, also known as the Shrine of Ali, is a breathtaking historical and religious site located in the heart of Mazari-Sharif, Afghanistan. This majestic mosque is revered as one of the most important Islamic shrines and is believed by some to house the remains of Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. However, this claim is disputed as others believe that Ali is buried in Najaf, Iraq. The mosque gets its name from the intricate blue tiles covering its walls and domes, which create a stunning visual impact. The design of the mosque reflects the Timurid architectural style, characterized by bright colors, mosaics, and detailed calligraphy. The Blue Mosque is not only a spiritual center but also a place of pilgrimage, attracting visitors from across the Islamic world. Surrounded by gardens and courtyards, the mosque is a serene place for contemplation and worship. The annual celebration of the Persian New Year, Nowruz, is particularly festive here as the mosque and the city come alive with thousands of visitors, colorful decorations, and various cultural displays.

Top 10 Reviews on Blue Mosque (Shrine of Ali)

gemarcal
2.0
Wrote on 1 Mar 2024
Please do not visit the Blue Mosque or the Taliban will take you away
As long as Taliban remains in power, please do not visit this mosque if you’re not Muslim. I was taken there by my guide, did a tour, found everything absolutely beautiful (I actually cried when I saw the mosque), met with a religious scholar who invited me for some tea and, suddenly, I was whisked away by a guy with a gun. He put me in a car without a license plate, took me and my guide to the barracks and interrogated me for almost one hour. He took my cellphone, started scrolling through my photos and making questions about my personal life. He saw me naked in one of the photos and made fun of me. He then called his boss, and I was then that the mosque was a place of worship and shouldn’t be visited. As a diplomat, I felt afraid, ashamed, disrespected and violated. The Blue Mosque is amazing, but it was also the place where I had one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. After this terrible experience, I locked myself up in my hotel room and did not want to visit Mazar anymore. Luckily, the next day I took a flight to Dubai and left. I never want to visit Afghanistan again - not in my civilian nor in my diplomatic capacity.