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Iraq’s 'Tree of Knowledge' draws visitors across faiths

Visitors flock to visit Adam's Tree, which they believe was planted by the Prophet Abraham and is sacred, in southern Iraq.
Iraqi children gather around what is believed to be Adam's tree in the
Garden of Eden in Al Qurna, Iraq, May 19, 2003. Eden, at the confluence
of the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers, known as the cradle of mankind,
is now a ruined home to the dead Adam's tree which was cultivated by Al
Qurna's elders for centuries at this location. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

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A convoy from Babil province traveled nearly 250 miles in early April to visit Adam’s Holy Tree, also known as the “Tree of Knowledge.” For the thousands of Muslims who come each year, praying at the tree brings blessings, forgiveness and realization of their dreams. It also draws Christian tourists who believe it is the tree Eve ate from in the Garden of Eden.

Local cleric Abdul Hussein al-Hashimi told Al-Monitor that visiting the tree in Qurna, a town in southern Iraq just northwest of Basra, is a religious duty, part of the country’s historical and religious heritage that had been preserved through the generations.

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