Gravestone Inscriptions in Qom and Najaf: A Comparative, Sociolinguistic Study

The present study concerns a comparative sociolinguistic study of similarities and differences between gravestone inscriptions in the two holy cities of Qom in Iran, and Najaf in Iraq. This descriptive-analytical study has been conducted based on studying 1,000 gravestone inscriptions of the commoners, half of which belong to Najaf, and the rest to Qom. The research findings indicate that the Najaf inscriptions render merely a brief report, replete with Islamic religious advice, all devoid of any hint regarding the deceased persons’ social status. In this regard, the Najaf inscriptions make just a reminiscent of former classic and heritage-based Islamic evidence. In contrast, those of Qom imply the grief and bereavement of the dependants of the deceased, all indicative of their profound sorrow for their loved ones. Here, the religious traces are fainted by far compared with those of the former category, although not entirely without any such hint.