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The 1991 uprising in Iraq or al-Intifada al-Sha'baniyya refers to the uprising of the people of Iraq against the government of Saddam Hussein which began in Sha'ban 1411/March 1991. The uprisings began in Basra, and protesters took over fourteen of the eighteen governorates of Iraq in fifteen days.
In reaction to them, the Ba'ath party killed tens of thousands of people, and about two million people were displaced. Some of the clergy were arrested or executed, and some others had to leave Iraq. Also, in the attacks of the Ba'ath party, the shrines of Imam Ali (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a) were damaged and the government of Iraq destructed many seminaries, mosques, and husayniyyas.
The uprising began in the month of Sha'ban, 1411/March, 1991 from Basra, when an Iraqi soldier who had returned from the war with Kuwait shot at a picture of Saddam Hussein with a tank shell. After this event, people attacked the buildings of the Ba'ath party and the prison of the city and took control. After a while, protesters took control of Basra and, by broadcasting the news of its conquest, some other governorates of Iraq were conquered by the people.
Destruction of economic and welfare infrastructures of Iraq after the war with Kuwait, remaining damages after the war with Iran and people's dissent toward the Ba'ath regime are considered among the reasons for the uprising of the people of Iraq against Saddam. Following the attack of Iraq against Kuwait, allied forces led by the US attacked Iraq and destroyed much of the economic and welfare infrastructures of Iraq.
In Intifada Sha'baniyya, fourteen of the eighteen governorates of Iraq were overtaken by the people. Protesters took over the control of the governorates Diyala, Wasit, Maysan, Basra, Dhi Qar, Muthanna, Qadisiyyah, Babil, Karbala, Najaf, Dohuk, Arbil, Kirkuk, and Sulaymaniyah and only the central governorates of Saladin, Baghdad, Nineveh, and Anbar were left in the control of the government. Therefore, Intifada Sha'baniyya is considered the greatest internal challenge of Iraq during the time of Saddam Hussein.......
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- ... according to a narration from Imam al-Sadiq (a), the night of the 15th of Sha'ban is considered the most virtuous night after Laylat al-Qadr?
- ... Did you know that the Ja'fari madhhab is referred to as Twelver Shia because the foundations of the school, its expansion, and the development of Shia jurisprudence were primarily established during the period of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a)?
- ... the first Manual of Islamic law in current form was written and published by the order of Ayatollah Burujirdi?
- Month of Sha'ban «The eighth month of the Islamic calendar, considered highly virtuous, during which fasting, giving charity, and salutations are recommended.»
- Al-'Abbas (a) «Son of Imam Ali (a) and Umm al-Banin, known as Abu l-Fadl and Qamar Bani Hashim. He served as the standard-bearer for Imam al-Husayn (a) in the Battle of Ashura' and is highly revered by Shi'a Muslims.»
- Al-Salawat al-Sha'baniyya «A specific supplication quoted from Imam al-Sajjad (a), recommended for daily recitation during the month of Sha'ban. Its core message emphasizes the high station of the Ahl al-Bayt (a).»
- Sha'baniyya Holidays «Celebrations held throughout the month of Sha'ban, marking the birth anniversaries of several Imams of the Shi'a and Imamzadas.»
- 'Ali al-Akbar (a) «Son of Imam al-Husayn (a) (b. Sha'ban 11, 33/March 7, 654), he is reported to have greatly resembled the Prophet Muhammad (s) in appearance and character.»
- Mid-Sha'ban «The birthday of the Twelfth Imam (a). The preceding night is considered extremely virtuous (after Laylat al-Qadr), with both Shia and some Sunni Muslims observing it vigilantly for religious practices.»
- Sayyid Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini «known as Imam Khomeini (1902–1989), was a leading 20th-century Shi'a Marja'. He led the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, establishing the Islamic Republic.»
- Al-Sha'baniyya Supplication «A supplication narrated from Imam Ali (a) and recited by all Imams (a). The supplication is the total instance of the supplication and the mood of the best of servants of Allah.»
- Jamkaran Mosque «A mosque in Qom, attributed to Imam al-Mahdi (a), the twelfth Shi'a Imam. Reportedly built in the 4th/10th century at his command by Abu l-Hasan, a scholar from Qom.»
Today Sunday, 15 February, 2026 / 26 Sha'ban, 1447
- 629 CE - Miracle of Radd al-Shams (Shawwal 15, 7)
- 1961 CE - Demise of Sayyid Mahdi Shirazi (Sha'ban 28, 1380)
- 1988 CE - Demise of Sayyid 'Abbas Muhri (Jumada II 26, 1408)
