Basra’s Zubair preserves the cultural legacy of Najdi migrants with Al-Majada Mosque

BASRA – The migration of people from Najd, in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, to what is now Iraq has spanned over four centuries. In Zubair, a city in Basra province, these migrants left behind a rich cultural and architectural legacy, most notably the construction of the Al-Najada Mosque in 1594. Named after the Najd region, this mosque is among Zubair’s oldest and most significant historical landmarks.

Religious scholars and historians note that mosques in Zubair were not solely built for religious purposes but also as social hubs for families, tribes, and communities of shared origin. It became common for these mosques to bear the names of the tribes, families, or individuals who built them, such as the Al-Barak Mosque, Mazel Pasha Mosque, and Al-Muntafik Mosque. These names were a source of pride, immortalizing their founders and reflecting their societal influence.

Known as the “City of Mosques,” Zubair is home to around 40 mosques—an impressive figure for a city of its size. One of the most prominent, Al-Najada Mosque, can host over 1,200 worshippers. Covering 3,000 square meters, its prayer hall takes up half that space. The mosque is notable for its 30-meter length, 50-meter width, and a minaret adorned with Karbala tiles, showcasing the region’s Islamic architectural heritage.

The mosque, named “Al-Najada,” reflects the settlers from Najd, a region now part of Saudi Arabia. These migrations were among the first waves of population movement from the Arabian Peninsula to Zubair, establishing a new chapter in the city’s development.

Mohammed Hussein Al-Rashed, a local historian, told 964media, “The city of Zubair is often referred to as the ‘City of Mosques’ or the ‘City of Islamic Unity,’ with over 40 mosques and prayer spaces catering to various Islamic sects.”

Sheikh Jameel Al-Silawi, a religious leader, explained the dual significance of mosque construction: “Building a mosque has both religious and social purposes. For instance, Al-Barak Mosque is named after Wadan Hamoud Al-Barak, who built it. Naming it after the family preserves the tribe’s legacy, while constructing it serves as an act of devotion to God.”

Historians explain that some Najdi families left Saudi Arabia due to drought, famine, and tribal conflicts. Al-Zubair’s fertile land and strategic location near Basra attracted these settlers, many of whom contributed to the region’s economy, education, and culture. During the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, several Najdi families returned to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while others remained in Zubair or settled in nearby regions.

The Gulf’s influence in Zubair remains visible in daily life, from the Gulf-style abayas worn by local women to the popularity of regional products like Kuwaiti Ragag bread and sweets such as Saydawi, Nasr, Darabeel, and Ma’booch.

Zubair’s lasting connections with the Gulf also extend to property ownership. Many homes are still owned by families now residing in the Gulf, and these properties are either managed by agents or entrusted to local residents.