Inside the Tomb of Prophet Nahum in Iraq

Tomb of Prophet Nahum in Iraq

The Tomb of Prophet Nahum is located in one of the last remaining synagogues in Iraq but is currently under threat of destruction by the leaders of 'Islamic State'. The tomb is currently protected by an Assyrian Christian family named Shaje, residing near the sacred site in the town of Alqosh. "The last Jews who left Alqosh asked my grandfather to guard the tomb. I don't know much beyond that. Nahum wasn't one of 'our' prophets, but he was a prophet, so we must honor him, plain and simple," says Aseer Salam Shaje, an Assyrian Christian who inherited the duty of protecting 'the Jews' sacred tomb' from his father and grandfather. 

"I keep an eye on the place, my wife sweeps the floor every week, and when a visitor comes wanting to see the tomb or pray there, they're told to come to me. I open the gates and let them in, although we don't have many visitors."

Hebrew letters carved into the tomb's walls

Previously, when Jews still lived in Iraq, thousands would visit the Tomb of Prophet Nahum. In recent years, particularly due to the threat from the terrorist group ISIS, visits have completely ceased, even among the few pilgrims who saw it as an act of devotion. One can see inscriptions in Hebrew letters displayed on the tomb's walls. 

Curious to see what the tomb looks like today? Here you go: