Qom

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Image:Kaftar.jpg Image:Howzeh.jpgQom, Qum or Kum (قم in Persian) is a city in Iran (Persia). It is the center of the Qom Province, with an estimated population of 1,042,309 in 2005.[1]

The city is one of the holy cities for Shi'ite Muslims, as it is the site of the shrine of Hazrat Fatima Masoumeh, sister of Imam Reza (789-816AD). The city is home to Iran's largest seminary, competing only with Najaf in Iraq.

1 History
2 Qom today
3 Attractions of Qom
4 Universities in Qom
5 Seminaries of Qom
6 Listing of Qom's Senior ranking clerics
- 6.1 Current
- 6.2 Deceased
7 Sister cities
8 See also
9 Other external links about Qom
- 9.1 Religiously affiliated
- 9.2 Non-Religiously affiliated

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History

Image:GonbadSabz.jpgQom as an urban settlement existed in the pre-Islamic ages. Architectural discoveries indicate that Qom was a residential area from the 5th millennium BCE. Pre-Islamic remaining relics and historical texts point to the fact of Qom being a large regional city. Kom was known to be the name of this ancient city, thus, the incoming 7th century Arabs called it Qom during the conquests of Iran.

During the caliphate of Omar ibn Khattab, Qom fell to the invading Arab armies of Islam. In 645CE, Abu Moosa Ashari, also dispatched forces under his command to the area. Conflicts resulted between the incoming Arab army and the residents of the area.

During the persecution of the Alavids by the Abbasid and Umayyad dynasties, many people fled to Qom, permanently establishing themselves in the area. The Abbasid caliph Al-Ma'mun sent forces to Qom in 825CE, resulting in a massacre and widespread destruction.

Later on, on hearing of the demise of Al-Ma'mun, popular revolt resurfaced and was successful in overthrowing caliphate representatives 831CE. However, the successor to the throne, Al-Mu'tasim, dispatched forces to the area in order to suppress the riots, once more setting the city aflame. Popular unrest continued until the Buwayhid dynasty (Al e Booyeh in Persian) came to power, being of the Alavid community. It was during this reign that the city of Qom expanded and thrived once again.

In Seljuki times the city flourished as well. During the Mongol invasion of Persia the city witnessed widespread destruction, but after the Mongol ruling dynasty, also known as the Ilkhanate, converted to Islam during the reign of Öljeitü, (Muslim name Mohammad Khudabanda), the city received special attention, thus undergoing a revival once more.

In the late 14th century, the city was plundered by Tamerlane and the inhabitants were massacred. But during the periods of rule of the Qarah Qoyoonloo, Aq Qoyoonloo, and especially during the reign of the Safavids, Qom gained special attention and gradually developed, due to its religious shrine.

By 1503CE, Qom became one of the important centers of theology in relation to the Shia Islam, and became a significant religious pilgrimage site and pivot.

The city suffered heavy damages again during the Afghan invasions, resulting in consequent severe economic hardships. Qom further sustained damages during the reigns of Nadir Shah and the conflicts between the two households of Zandieh and Qajariyeh in order to gain power over Iran.

Finally in 1793CE, Qom came under the control of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar . On being victorious over his enemies, Fath Ali Shah was responsible for the repairs done on the sepulchre and Holy Shrine of Hazrat Ma'soomeh, as he had made such a vow.

But the city of Qom began an era prosperity in the Qajar era yet once again. After Russian forces entered Karaj in 1915, many of the inhabitants of Tehran moved to Qom due to reasons of proximity, and the transfer of the capital from Tehran to Qom was even discussed. But the British and Russians defeated prospects of the plan by putting Ahmad Shah Qajar under political pressure. Coinciding with this period, a National Defense Committee was set up in Tehran, and Qom turned into a political and military apex against the Russian and British colonial powers.

Many years later, Qom also became the center from which Ayatollah Khomeini based his opposition to the Pahlavi dynasty, while in Iran. For many years, Qom was the home of Ayatollah Khomeini who led Iran during the evnts that led to the Islamic revolution in 1979 before permanently leaving for Tehran after the revolution.

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Qom today

Image:Qom timcheh.jpg Today, Qom is counted as one of the focal centers of the Shiite sect both in Iran and round the globe. Its theological center and the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Ma'soomeh are prominent features of the provincial capital of Qom province. Another religious site of pilgrimage is outside the city of Qom, and is called Jamkaran.

Qom's proximity to Tehran has given it an advantage as well.

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