Al Kifl (Arabic: الكفل; also known as Kifl) is a town in southeastern Iraq on the Euphrates River, between Najaf and Al Hillah. The population in and near the town is about 15,000. Kifl is the location of Al-Nukhailah Mosque, containing the tomb of Dhu al-Kifl who is believed to be the biblical prophet Ezekiel. A project to renovate the tomb and develop it as a tourist attraction has proven controversial.[2] The town was once a significant Jewish pilgrimage site and home to a community of Iraqi Jews until the late 1940s.[3]

Al Kifl
الكفل
City
Vendors line the main road through Kifl.
Vendors line the main road through Kifl.
Al Kifl is located in Iraq
Al Kifl
Al Kifl
Location within Iraq
Coordinates: 32°13′27″N 44°22′36″E / 32.22417°N 44.37667°E / 32.22417; 44.37667
Country Iraq
ProvinceBabylon
DistrictAl-Hillah
Named forDhul-Kifl
Area
 • Total439 sq mi (1,137 km2)
Elevation
115 ft (35 m)
Population
 (2018)
 • Total22,800
 • Density52/sq mi (20/km2)
 [1]
Time zoneUTC+3
Postal code
50006
Ancient minaret in Kifl.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Iraq: Governorates, Major Cities & Urban Centers - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2019-01-11.
  2. ^ "Crossroads of Antiquity Can’t Decide on New Path" article by Steven Lee Myers in The New York Times October 19, 2010, October 20, 2010
  3. ^ Porter, Lizzie (26 March 2019). "Babylon's forgotten tomb, a symbol of Iraq's ancient Jewish heritage". Middle East Eye.
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32°13′27″N 44°22′36″E / 32.22417°N 44.37667°E / 32.22417; 44.37667