In Mosul, Iraq, the iconic leaning minaret of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri has been rebuilt, eight years after it was destroyed by ISIL militants. The reconstruction is part of a UNESCO-led initiative supported by international funding, including the UAE and EU, totaling $115 million.
Residents expressed deep emotional ties to the restored site. “This mosque is considered the identity of Mosul’s people,” said local imam Mohammed Khalil Al-Assaf. The rebuilding used traditional materials salvaged from the rubble, ensuring authenticity.
Alongside the mosque, several Christian sites such as al-Tahira and al-Sa’aa churches were also restored. Though Mosul’s Christian population has significantly declined, church leaders hope these efforts will encourage community return and preserve cultural memory.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay called the reconstruction “unprecedented in its complexity,” as 80% of Mosul’s Old City was destroyed. She noted that this project could serve as a model for future post-conflict restorations globally.
Source: The Associated Press