The Iraqi Prime Minister had ordered to develop and expand the holy shrine of Shiites' Imam, Hazrat Ali, said Najaf Governor, Assad Abu Kilal.

Following a visit to the holy shrine, Abu Kilal told reporters that major projects have been set up to reconstruct and develop Imam Ali's holy shrine and the city of Najaf.

He reiterated that the former regime of Iraq did not pay any attention to the city despite millions of pilgrims visiting the site.

Comparing holy cities in Makkah, Medina, Mashad and Qom with those in Iraq, the Iraqi official said the Iraqi holy cities are deprived of necessary facilities for accomodating pilgrims.

The Najaf Governor added there are projects for the development of other holy cities and shrines in Iraq aiming to expand the atmosphere of religious tourism in the country.

Iraq-Najaf-Imam Ali Shrine