Qom

Qom is a humble city found 156 km southwest of Tehran. Qom is a worthwhile pit stop when you go on an Iranian holiday. This city has such a rich history, dating back to more than 2,000 year ago. Qom is not only a peripheral city of Tehran; Qom can stand on its own.

One thing worth nothing about Qom is how it is considered as one of the holiest cities in the Shia sect of the Islamic world. This is because Qom is where the Shirt of Fatimah al-Masumah, or Fatimah the Innocent, is found. Fatima al-Masumah is the daughter of the seventh Shiah Imam, Musa al-Kadim, and sister of the seventh Imam, Ali ar-Ridha. He died while travelling to visit her brother when she was 26 years old and was buried in Qom. Her shrine is one of the grandest temples in Northern Iran.

Another thing worth visiting in the Qom is the Mar’ashi Najafi Library. This place contains more than 500,000 handwritten texts that are considered as not only historical document, but also Iranian heritage items. Qom also has a space center. The Qom Space Center is one of only two space centers in Iran where the suborbital Shahab 3s rockets are being launched.

Qom maybe a humble city, but inside its walls are greatness in both tradition and technology. Whatever you fancy is, may it be religion or science, you will surely find a place worth your time here in Qom.