Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque (Arabic: مسجد السيدة زينب) is a shrine located in Damascus, Syria, that contains the grave of Zaynab daughter of ‘Alī and Fātimah, and granddaughter of Muhammad (Arabic: زينب بنت علي ).
It is believed by Shī‘a Muslims that this mosque is the authentic burial place of Lady Zaynab, whereas the mosque in Cairo by the same name belongs to: Zaynab b. Yahya b. Zayd b. ‘Alī Zayn al-‘Ābidīn (ie. the great grand-daughter of the Shia Imam). The most authentic sources suggest that the grave is in damascus.
The shrine contains magnificent Iranian architecture and the dome is made of pure gold. There is also a large mosque adjoining the shrine which can accommodate more than 1300 people in it and a further 150 in the attached courtyards. The grave of Zaynab is enclosed within a cage-like structure, found directly beneath the golden dome. The doors of the shrine are made of pure gold with marvellous mirror works on the roof and walls. The shrine gives a touching look at first with its breath taking appearance. The two tall minarets of the shrine are an excellent example of the architecture. The shrine has a large market in front of it with many religious things readily available.
The shrine is dominated by pilgrims until it is closed at 9 pm. The central management is Iranian with a few Arabs. The majority of the pilgrims are Iranians, Pakistanis and Bahraini Arabs. Prayers are led by Ayatullah Mujtaba Hussaini and Muslims from all ethnic backgrounds can be found praying there.
On September 27, 2008, there was a car bomb attack on the intersection leading up to the mosque.
