The Mausoleum of Ali (Dari: مقام علی, romanized: Maqām ʿAlī), also known as the Shrine of Hazrat Ali and the Great Blue Mosque (Dari: مسجد کبود), is a mausoleum and mosque complex located in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital and largest city of Balkh Province in northern Afghanistan. It is a popular tourist attraction in the middle of the city, which is visited all year long by all people regardless of religion or sect.
The complex purportedly houses the tomb of Caliph Ali, also known as the first Imam of Shia Muslims (r. 656–661). Many pilgrims annually celebrate Nowruz (New Year) at the site. At the annual Janda Bala ceremony, a flag used to be raised in honor of Ali and pilgrims would touch the flag for supposed good luck in the New Year. This particular ceremony has been officially halted in recent years.
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