Adhamiyah

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Adhamiyah (Arabic: ألأعظمية, al-aʿẓamiyyah; BGN: Al A‘z̧amīyah) is a north-eastern suburb of Baghdad, Iraq. It is a relatively poor area with a predominately Sunni Muslim population, although it is considered a 'mixed' area as many move to the area to enjoy the scenic beauty that this area possesses. The name is a reference to Abū Hanīfah an-Nuʿmān, a renowned scholar and founder of the prominent Sunni Hanafī School of Islamic Religious Jurisprudence. Abu Hanifa Mosque is also a prominent landmark of the area, where Abu Hanifa an-Nu‘man is buried.

Although Adhamiyah has been the site of many clashes between Iraqi insurgents and US forces, the humanity of its inhabitants was displayed when, in September of 2005, the largely Sunni residents of Adhamiyah were credited with saving hundreds of Shiite lives.

Shiite pilgrims who were caught in a stampede on the Imams bridge, coming from the opposing shore of Kadhimiyah, began jumping from the bridge in an attempt to escape the crush, only to face drowning in the Tigris below. Adhamiyah residents dove into the waters, pulling hundreds of Shiites to the shore, where their fellow residents transported them to hospitals and mosques, in some cases using the mattresses from their own beds as makeshift stretchers.

According to the Iraqi Interior Ministry, upwards of 900 Shiite pilgrims died in the stampede, with a like number of wounded.