Beautiful Iran (17) – Photos of Qom

Qom also spelled as Ghom, is the eighth largest city in Iran. It lies 125 kilometers or 78 miles by road southwest of Tehran and is the capital of Qom Province. At the 2011 census its population was 1,074,036 (957,496 at the 2006 census, in 241,827 families). It is situated on the banks of the Qom River.

Qom is considered holy by Shias, as it is the site of the holy shrine of Hazrat Fatema Ma'sume (PBUH), sister of Imam Reza (PBUH), the eight infallible successor of Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny). The city is the largest center for Shia scholarship in the world, and is a significant destination of pilgrimage. Qom is famous for a brittle toffee called “Sohan”, considered a souvenir of the city and sold by 2,000 to 2,500 “Sohan” shops.

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