U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq - Provincial Reconstruction Teams

Najaf

Najaf is home to the Tomb of Imam Ali, one of the most important Shi’a pilgrimage sites in the world. It is estimated that only Mecca and Medina receive more Muslim pilgrims annually. In 2008, the province’s population was estimated to be approximately 900,000 people. The economy of the province is overwhelmingly dependent on religious tourism, including a large number of Shi’a pilgrims from Iran.

PRT Najaf is headed by a senior State Department Foreign Service Officer who leads a team of experts in areas such as tourism development, urban planning, and agriculture. PRT Najaf supports a wide range of activities to achieve four major goals: good governance, political development, economic development and rule of law. Programs focus on fostering, developing, and coordinating provincial leadership, assisting legal organizations including the courts, supporting educational institutions, and facilitating the business community, specifically in the areas of small business development, agriculture, tourism and transportation. From encouraging the delivery of essential services and advising on budget execution, to working with the chamber of commerce, the PRT works with Najafis at a variety of levels and organizations to achieve strategic goals.