AlAskari

AlAskari, sometimes written Al-Askari, is an Arabic nisba meaning “the military” or “of soldiers.” The term appears in various names and titles and is most prominently associated with a major Shia religious site, as well as with Hasan al-Askari, the 11th Imam of Twelver Shi’ism.

The Al-Askari Shrine refers to the tomb complex of Hasan al-Askari and his son Muhammad al-Mahdi in Samarra, Iraq. Located in the historic city of Samarra, the shrine is a key center of Shia pilgrimage and devotion. Hasan al-Askari (c. 846–874) is regarded as the eleventh Imam in Twelver Shi’ism, and Muhammad al-Mahdi, his son, is revered as the expected twelfth Imam.

The site has been subjected to significant violence in the modern era. On two occasions, major bombings in 2006 and 2007 damaged the mausoleum and surrounding structures, prompting widespread sectarian tensions and highlighting the shrine’s symbolic importance for Shia communities. Restoration and security measures have since been undertaken to aid reconstruction and protection of the complex.

UNESCO acknowledges the broader significance of the area. The Ancient City of Samarra, which encompasses the Al-Askari Shrine, was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2007 and placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger following the attacks, reflecting concerns about preservation and security in the region.

Beyond the shrine, AlAskari may appear in personal names, family names, or in the titles of institutions named after Hasan al-Askari or the concept of the “Askari” lineage within Islamic history.