Iraq has reopened the historic al-Nouri Grand Mosque in Mosul, eight years after the Islamic State (IS) destroyed it. The mosque, built in the late 1100s, was a landmark for about 850 years.
In 2017, IS blew it up as they fought to hold onto Mosul against Iraqi forces. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said rebuilding the mosque is a “milestone” showing Iraqi bravery and resilience: “reminding all enemies of the heroism of Iraqis, their defence of their land, and their rebuilding of everything destroyed by those who want to obscure the truth.”
He said Iraqi culture and antiquities must be protected at all costs, calling it essential for development and youth innovation.
The mosque was where IS announced its caliphate in 2014.
After Mosul was freed, UNESCO worked with Iraqi heritage and religious groups to rebuild the mosque. They raised $115 million, with big donations from the EU and UAE.
UNESCO called the effort “a symbolic act of revival” beyond just fixing architecture.
The Reconstruction Journey
The first phase began in the fall of 2018 by removing landmines and harmful materials from the site. Also, workers sifted through rubble to find valuable fragments for reconstruction.
An Egyptian team won a competition to redesign the mosque, presenting their plans in May 2022.
A survey revealed that 70% of locals wanted to keep the main features of the Al-Nouri prayer hall but with some improvements.
During preparations, workers found four rooms from the 12th century under the mosque’s floor, likely used for ablutions, which were included in the new design.
The project also worked on restoring war-damaged churches, aiming to preserve the dwindling Christian heritage in Mosul.
Since IS’s reign, Christian families in Mosul have dropped to about 20 from roughly 50,000 in 2003.
Through this restoration, Iraq sends a message of resilience, showing how communities can rise above devastation. This act not only helps preserve history but invites new growth and connection.
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