M. Zaid Awad from the Department of Archaeology wrote an article titled "Sura of the Historical City: Between the Past and the Present."

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Sura: The Historical City Between the Past and the Present<br />(Presented within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education)<br />M.M ZAID AWAD<br /><br />"Sura" is a Hebrew word meaning "the lowland," and it refers to an ancient Babylonian city that served as an important center where the Jews congregated following the Babylonian captivity. It was the seat of "Ra’s al-Jalut" (a title given to the chief leader or principal prince of the Jewish community in Mesopotamia), and in Sura a major Jewish school was established in the year 219 CE, which graduated a large number of Jewish scholars.<br /><br />In the second Hijri century, Imam al-Qasim ibn Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon them) resided in Sura, where he later died and was buried. The Mazidians also inhabited the city prior to the transformation of Hilla in 495 AH, and it became a city for the Syriac community. Sura was interlaced with several rivers, the most notable of which was the river bearing its name—a water-rich river and the largest that draws its waters from the Euphrates.<br /><br />Al-Idrisi described Sura as a fine city of moderate size, featuring walls, markets, and well-constructed architecture, with palm orchards, trees, and abundant fruits, through which the Euphrates flowed to other regions of Iraq.<br /><br />Ibn Hawqal described Sura as a destination city—situated along major travel and trade routes—which is why it was frequently visited, and it featured a river known as the "Sura River."<br /><br />In the present day, this city no longer exists and has become lost to history; some historians suggest that it was located in the southern part of Babylon Governorate, specifically in the district of Al-Qasim.<br /><br />According to recent archaeological surveys, the site of Sura may be located about 4 kilometers south of the shrine of Imam al-Qasim ibn Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon them) at the archaeological mound known as "Tel al-Aswad" (the Black Mound) on the dried Sura River. Additionally, a white marble column dating back to the 8th Hijri century was found nearby, bearing inscriptions with the names of a group of individuals who were buried in Sura, along with an inscription of the city's name. Furthermore, the historically confirmed tomb of Imam al-Qasim and the existence of the great Sura River further attest to its historical significance.<br /><br />Al‑Mustaqbal University – The Premier University in Iraq.