Adhamiyah

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Adhamiyah or Azamiya (Arabic: ألأعظمية, al-aʿẓamiyyah; BGN: Al A‘z̧amīyah, Kurdish: Qasimiye, Ottoman Turkish: Azamiye) is a north-eastern suburb of Baghdad, Iraq. It is a relatively upscale 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 base of the population of Adhamiya consists of people with a high intellectual background,whether it be politicians,artists,scholars and even sports figures. 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. Adhamiyah is one of nine administrative districts in Baghdad

Although Adhamiyah has been the site of many clashes between Iraqi insurgents and US forces as well as tensions between Shia security forces and Sunni residents, in September 2005, the residents of Adhamiyah were credited with saving hundreds of Shia lives.

Shia pilgrims who were caught in a stampede on "the Imams bridge" (Al-Aaimmah 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 Shia's 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 Interior Ministry, upwards of 900 Shia pilgrims died in the stampede, with a like number of wounded.

On April 10, 2007, Coalition forces began to construct a wall around the Adhamiyah neighborhood in an attempt to reduce Sunni-Shia violence.^[1] Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called for a halt to construction on April 22.^[2]

The Al Numan Hospital is located in Adhamiyah, as well as a royal cemetery for Sunnis.^[3]

During the summer of 2007, two bradley fighting vehicles were destroyed by deep buried IED's in the Adhamiyah area. One from C co and one from A co, task force spader, 1st battalion 26th Infantry Regiment of the 1st ID. Sniper and IED tactics were commonly used against coalition forces in the area during this time.

As of late fall 2007, life in Adhamiya has begun to resemble a city again with trafficjams, the reopening of shops, and infrequency of violent acts. Security efforts of the coalition forces and cooperation of the local populace have been credited as factors contributing to this change.