Imam Ali’s Step Mosque, Basra

In the old quarter west of modern Basra stands one of the very first mosques built in Islam, founded around 635 CE. It became known as Khutwat Imam Ali — the step of Imam Ali — for the sermon he gave here after the Battle of the Camel. A cradle of early Islamic learning, it remains sacred to both Sunni and Shia Muslims.

The Imam Ali Mosque of Basra joins the deepest memory of the early Muslim community to living devotion. Founded around 635 CE during the reign of Caliph Umar, at the new garrison-city of Basra, it is reputed to be one of the first mosques built outside Mecca and Medina and the first major school of fiqh, hadith and Arabic studies in Iraq. Early figures such as Abd Allah ibn Abbas and Wasil ibn Ata taught here, and the ascetic teacher Hasan al-Basri is associated with its circles.

The mosque carries the name Khutwat Imam Ali — the footstep or step of Imam Ali — from the sermon he delivered from its pulpit after the Battle of the Camel in 656 CE. For Shia Muslims this presence sanctifies the site: Iraqi Shia walk there on foot on occasions such as Ashura, the martyrdom of Imam Ali, and the birth of Imam al-Mahdi. For the wider Muslim community it is honored as a foundation-stone of Islamic learning, where the first circles of jurisprudence and hadith took shape.

The surrounding old Basra was largely abandoned when the modern city grew, and the current structure was rebuilt in 2000 over remnants of the seventh-century mosque. It remains a functioning place of the five daily prayers and a pilgrimage destination, most vivid during Ramadan, when families gather for iftar and Qur'an reciters fill the halls, drawing visitors from across Iraq and the wider Muslim world. To stand here is to feel a tangible link to the founding generations of the faith and to Imam Ali.

Founded c. 635 CE at the garrison-city of Basra; named for Imam Ali's post-Camel sermon; rebuilt in 2000.

The mosque was founded around 635 CE at the new garrison-city of Basra during the reign of Caliph Umar, reputedly the third mosque of Islam and the first outside Mecca and Medina. It became known as Khutwat Imam Ali — the step or footstep of Imam Ali — after Imam Ali entered the mosque and preached from its pulpit following the Battle of the Camel in 656 CE. Founding is sometimes dated to the era of Caliph Umar, with the 'footstep' name added after Ali's sermon.

Islam, honored by both Sunni and Shia: a foundation of early Sunni jurisprudence and hadith scholarship, and a Shia ziyarat site sanctified by Imam Ali's presence.

A mosque rooted in the first generations of Islam and in Imam Ali's own presence in Basra.

The thinness of this mosque rests on continuity with the very beginnings of Islam. It is among the oldest mosques anywhere, reputedly the first outside Mecca and Medina, and the first center where the religious sciences of fiqh and hadith were taught in Iraq. Beneath the rebuilt structure lie remnants of the seventh-century mosque, and the air carries the memory of Imam Ali addressing the people of Basra from this pulpit after the Battle of the Camel. For visitors, standing in one of Islam's earliest mosques and first centers of learning evokes a direct connection to the founding generations of the faith.

A congregational mosque for the new garrison-city of Basra and, soon after, the first school of jurisprudence, hadith and Arabic studies in Iraq.

Founded around 635 CE under Caliph Umar; named Khutwat Imam Ali after Imam Ali's sermon following the Battle of the Camel in 656 CE. Repeatedly rebuilt after floods and the decline of old Basra, with the current structure dating to a reconstruction in 2000 over the seventh-century remnants. It remains an active mosque and pilgrimage site.

The five daily prayers and teaching circles historically, with Shia ziyarat and on-foot pilgrimage on key dates.

Daily congregational prayer; the teaching and recitation circles historically rooted here that made the mosque the first school of fiqh and hadith in Iraq; Shia ziyarat (devotional visiting) and on-foot pilgrimage on commemorative dates.

Five daily prayers; Ramadan evening prayers, iftar gatherings and Qur'an recitation with reciters including some from al-Azhar; Shia pilgrims walking to the mosque on Ashura, the martyrdom of Imam Ali, and the birth of Imam al-Mahdi.

Enter quietly and let the antiquity of the place settle. Reflect on the founding generations of Islam and on Imam Ali's address to Basra after the Battle of the Camel. If visiting in Ramadan, share in the atmosphere of the evening gatherings as a respectful observer.

An ancient, rebuilt mosque in the old Basra area, most alive during Ramadan gatherings.

The mosque lies in the old Basra area, roughly 12 km west of the modern city center near Zubair, reached by car or taxi. The present building, reconstructed in 2000, rises over the remnants of the seventh-century mosque, and visitors note its antiquity and its role in the earliest history of Islam.

During Ramadan the mosque comes fully alive: families gather for iftar, Qur'an reciters — including some from al-Azhar — fill the evening, and pilgrims arrive from across Iraq and from Iran, Pakistan and India. On Shia commemorative dates such as Ashura and the martyrdom of Imam Ali, the faithful walk here on foot. Standing in one of Islam's earliest mosques and first centers of learning evokes a strong sense of connection to the founding generations of the faith and to Imam Ali.

Enter respectfully during open hours, ideally around but not interrupting the five daily prayers. Remove shoes before the prayer hall. If visiting in Ramadan, the evening iftar and recitation gatherings offer the fullest sense of the mosque as a living place.

The mosque is honored both as a historical cradle of Islamic learning and as a site sanctified by Imam Ali's presence.

Historians recognize it as one of the earliest mosques of Islam (around 635 CE) and the first major center of Islamic religious learning in Iraq, repeatedly rebuilt after floods and the decline of old Basra, with the current structure dating to 2000. Founding is sometimes attributed to the era of Caliph Umar, with the 'footstep' name added after Imam Ali's sermon following the Battle of the Camel.

For Shia Muslims the mosque is sanctified by Imam Ali's presence and sermon after the Battle of the Camel; for the wider Muslim community it is honored as a cradle of fiqh and hadith.

The precise original footprint and how much of the seventh-century structure survives beneath the modern rebuilding remain only partly documented. Exact GPS coordinates are also not confirmed in available sources.

In old Basra about 12 km west of the city center near Zubair; most vibrant in Ramadan; a 30-60 minute visit.

In the old Basra area roughly 12 km west of the modern Basra city center, near Zubair, Basra Governorate, Iraq; reached by car or taxi from central Basra. Exact GPS coordinates are not well documented.

Modern Basra city offers a range of hotels and guesthouses within a short drive of the mosque.

Modest dress, shoes removed before the prayer hall, and discretion around worshippers.

This is an active mosque sacred to both Sunni and Shia Muslims; observe Islamic etiquette throughout. Dress modestly: women should cover the hair with a headscarf and wear loose, covering clothing, and men should avoid shorts. Remove shoes before entering the prayer hall, be discreet with photography, and keep silence and reverence.

Modest dress required; women should cover the hair with a headscarf and wear loose, covering clothing; men should avoid shorts.

Be discreet, especially during prayer; ask before photographing worshippers.

No specific offering is required; donations to the mosque may be welcomed.

Remove shoes before entering the prayer hall; avoid visiting during congregational prayer unless joining; observe silence and respect.

Continue through the atlas by country, tradition, site type, or a focused search that combines this place’s strongest context.

Sacred places within a half-day’s reach. Pilgrims often visit them together: walk one, stay for the other.

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Az Zubayr, Al-Basra Governorate, Iraq

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Mausoleums of Muslim bin Aqil, Hani bin Urwa and Almukhtar, Kufa Mosque, Najaf

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365.0 km away

Mausoleum of Maytham Altammar, Kufa, Najaf

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Sources consulted when researching this page. Independent verification by readers is welcome.

1. 01Imam Ali Mosque (Basra) — Wikipedia — Wikipedia contributors
2. 02Grand Mosque of Basra — WikiShia — WikiShia
3. 03Imam Ali Mosque (PBUH) — Embassy of the Republic of Iraq — Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
4. 04Families enjoy iftar at the Imam Ali mosque in Basra — The National — The National
5. 05Sacred Sites of Iraq — World Pilgrimage Guide — Martin Gray / sacredsites.com
6. 06Old Mosque of Basra — Archiqoo — Archiqoo