Pope Francis will visit the city of Najaf during his historic three-day trip to Iraq.
Najaf is home to Shiite Islam's most prominent hawza – an institution of religious learning, and Iraq's marja'iyya, the most learned and respected Shiite clerics in the country.
The city is revered by Shiites as the burial place of Imam Ali, described as a martyr, saint and would-be successor to the Prophet Mohammed. For this reason, Najaf is home of a gold-plated shrine, which has 35-metre tall golden minarets.
Other prominent marja'iyya reside mainly in Qom, Iran – some observers characterise the two cities as rival centres of Shiite religious authority.
This is largely because Najaf’s Shiite leaders – such as Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani – are quietists who tend to avoid political statements, unlike their Iranian counterparts, who believe in religious rule.
Considered the most learned cleric in the Najaf hawza, Mr Al Sistani, the holiest figure for Shiite Iraqis and millions of Shiites around the world, is known as the "marja taqlid", or venerated object.
The pontiff will hold a private meeting with Mr Al Sistani, because the ayatollah seldom leaves his residence or makes public appearances, communicating with the public through a spokesman.
Pope Francis will meet Mr Al Sistani in his humble home, down a narrow alley in the ancient city, and while there may be photos of this trip, it is unlikely there will be more than one official image of the meeting.
Famous visitors to Najaf include Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta in the 14th century, who described the Imam Ali’s shrine as being “carpeted with various sorts of carpets of silk and other materials, and contains candelabra of gold and silver, large and small”.
So holy is the city for Shiites, millions have sought the distinction of being buried there.
Najaf has the world's largest cemetery, at the Wadi Al Salaam, or valley of peace.
As with much of Iraq, peace in Najaf has been far from assured in recent years.
After the US invasion of 2003, Iraq collapsed into chaos and the city was the focus of Al Qaeda-linked suicide bombers and Shiite militias fighting US forces.
Some of the attacks were near the shrine, including a car bomb in 2004 that killed more than 80 people.
Today, the area around the shrine is pedestrianised and visitors have to go through several checkpoints to enter, so Pope Francis can at least have peace of mind when he makes the journey to meet Mr Al Sistani.
Watch: Pope Francis and why his papacy is different
Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
NBA FINALS SO FAR
(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106
Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland
Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)
RESULTS
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Brraq, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Taamol, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
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Winner: Eqtiraan, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Soft Whisper, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Etisalat, Sando Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
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LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
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Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”