Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi prays at Sayyida Zaynab shrine, donates $10m during Syria visit

Pilgrimage to Damascus

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited the Sayyida Zaynab shrine in the Syrian capital on Wednesday, IraqiNews.com reported, marking his first official trip to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

Accompanied by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, al-Zaidi offered prayers at the prominent Shia pilgrimage site, which is believed to house the tomb of Zainab bint Ali, the granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad. He also toured the historic Umayyad Mosque in central Damascus.

Personal donation to religious sites

During his visit, al-Zaidi contributed $10 million from his personal finances, allocating $5 million to the Umayyad Mosque and $5 million to the Sayyida Zaynab shrine.

Diplomatic talks with Syrian president

Al-Zaidi held high-level discussions with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, focusing on building a mutually beneficial partnership that goes beyond religious differences.

The two leaders discussed the possible revival of the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline to export Iraqi oil through Syrian Mediterranean ports, offering Iraq a strategic alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.

They also addressed ways to enhance intelligence sharing, border controls, and counter-terrorism coordination, as well as protocols to safely receive Iraqi pilgrims heading to sacred sites in Syria.