A historic city in Iran to the south of Tehran. It is considered by many Shi鈥榠 Muslims as Iran鈥檚 second holiest city after Mashhad. Qum is a leading centre of Twelver Shia learning in Iran, which contains major institutions for the training of students and is home of leading schools and libraries. Following the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, Qum鈥檚 importance has grown enormously. Qum鈥檚 fame as a pilgrimage site, visited by millions from Iran and abroad, is mainly due to the shrine of Fatima (popularly known as 岣岣峳at-i Ma士峁Ｅ玬a), daughter of the 7th Imam of the Twelver Shia, M奴s膩 b. Ja士far al-K膩岷搃m, and sister of the 8th Imam of the Twelver Shia, 士Al墨 Ri岣嵞, whose shrine is in Mashhad.
