Najaf Governorate

Najaf Governorate (Arabic: محافظة النجف, romanized: Muḥāfażat an-Najaf) or Najaf Province is a governorate in central and southern Iraq. The capital is the city of Najaf, with another major city being Al Kufah. Both cities are holy to Shia Muslims, who form the majority of the population.

Najaf Governorate محافظة النجف Najaf Province
Governorate
Imam Ali Mosque
Seal
Coordinates: 31°7′N 43°48′E
Country	Iraq
Capital	Najaf
Government
• Governor	Yusuf Kinawi
Area
• Total	28,824 km2 (11,129 sq mi)
Population  (2012)
• Total	1,400,000
HDI (2017)	0.689 medium
Website	https://najaf.iq/

Provincial Government

• Governor: Yusuf Kinawi
• Deputy Governor: Ammar al-Jazairi
• Provincial Council Chairman (PCC): Hussein al-Isawi
• Deputy PCC: Ghayth Sheba

Infrastructure

Najaf International Airport is an important logistical hub that plays a pivotal role in facilitating transportation, particularly for religious tourism. Annually, it oversees the transit of over 3 million passengers, predominantly pilgrims visiting the holy sites in the governorate. It is situated in the eastern part of the capital city Najaf, approximately 6 kilometres from the city center.

Districts

• Najaf District
• Kufa District
• Al-Manathera District
• Al-Meshkhab District

Religious significance

Najaf Governorate holds a significant position, especially among the country's Shi'i population due to it being the location of the Sanctuary of Imam Ali, the first Imam of Shia Islam (heir of Prophet Muhammad), located in the governorate's capital city of Najaf. The capital of the governorate is revered as one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam, and serves as one of the centres of traditional religious education known as the (Hawza of Najaf). With the residence of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, it is considered the centre of religious political power in Iraq. Pope Francis visited the governorate in 2021 and met the Grand Ayatollah. Devout Shia Muslims often refer to Najaf Governorate, and its capital, with the honorific title "Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf" or "Najaf the Most Majestic".