Ebdurrehman bin Awf

General Information

Also Known As

Ebdurrehman bin Awf shrine, Ebdurrehman bin Awf, Ziyareta Ebdulrehman Bin 'Of

Type

Ziyareta

Nahiya (Subdistrict)

Cindires

Village or Nearby Villages

Aşkê Şerqî

Aşkê Şerqî has a shrine called Ziyareta Ebdulrehman Bin 'Of.

Several shrines in the Afrin region carry similar names, each tied to its own village by its own source. This one is separate from Ebdirehman at Qujûma, Ebdurehman at Xelîl, and Şêx Ebdurehman at Kanî Gewrkê, which is also attributed to Abd al-Rahman bin Awf.

Dedicated Figure & Historical Roots

The shrine is named after Abd al-Rahman bin Awf, but the local account says he never came to the region. The shrine was given an Islamic name so it would be protected. The speaker says the older site may have been Byzantine or Roman, and that the name helped keep anyone from ruining, destroying, or damaging it.1

Transcripts

Aşkê Şerqî (Ax û Welat - Episode 1132):

  • 06:11 – Guest explains the name of the shrine and the historical rationale for using an Islamic companion's name to protect the site.

Videography

Aşkê Şerqî (Ax û Welat - Episode 1132): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-JxRB5LJwI

Bibliography

References

  1. Ax û Welat, episode 1132, "Aşkê Şerqî," 06:11-06:50, YouTube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-JxRB5LJwI. Direct quote: "As for the shrine, by name, it is the Shrine of Abdulrahman Bin Awf. Abdulrahman Bin Awf, in history, did not pass through these parts. He did not reach these parts. By [using] this Islamic name, they wanted to protect this shrine. Perhaps they were Byzantine, perhaps they were Roman. ... Because of this, they gave it these names, so that it would be protected. Meaning with the intent (?) they were on the edge/alert. [So that] no one would ruin it, destroy it, or cause damage. They have remained until now. Meaning because of this; Abdulrahman Awf never reached these parts at all." ↩