The 9 million pilgrims that visit Najaf, Iraq every year were rejoicing on 20 July following the inauguration by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of Al Hamza Airport, Najaf.
The $250 million airport is expected to increase tourism, a word not usually associated with Iraq, by 10% each year.
Although to be used mainly by pilgrims visiting the shrine of Imam Ali (as), some are serious about the tourism industry. Robert Kelly, an American businessman, is opening a $100 million luxury hotel in Baghdad’s Green Zone.
The developers of Al Hamza Airport, Kuwaiti firm Al-Aqeelah, are also working on thousands of new homes and hotels in Najaf. Their head of marketing and public relations, Nazeh Khajah, silenced critics of the airport by saying “The question shouldn't be why we chose to invest in Najaf. The question should be why don't we choose Najaf? It's one of the most noble places in the world.”
Inshallah, better news is to follow. A similar airport is under construction in the holy city of Karbala, housing the shrines of Imam Husayn (as) and Hazrat Abbas (as).
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