The Spirit of Mosul
Priest at The Ruins of Al Tahirah Syriac Catholic Church in Mosul destroyed by ISIS.
An ancient city at the crossroads of history
By Adhid Miri, PhD
Mosul, meaning “the linking point” in Arabic, serves as a vital connector between Iraq and Syria. Known historically as Nineveh, the city is named after an Assyrian goddess associated with fish. One of the world’s oldest cities, Mosul has been a strategic crossroads for millennia, facilitating the movement of diverse peoples, ethnicities, and religions, including some of the world’s oldest Christian communities.
Due to its location, Mosul has become a melting pot of cultures and faiths, reflecting Iraq’s pluralistic identity through centuries of coexistence. The Old City of Mosul showcases a rich heritage, with well-preserved streets and architecture blending Nestorian Christian and Islamic decorative arts.
The city’s significance grew as it fell under the control of the Islamic State on June 10, 2014, becoming a target for anti-ISIS forces. This article offers an overview of Mosul’s historic importance and a poignant account of the atrocities committed by ISIS against Christians and other ethnic groups.
Known as the “Mother of the Two Springs” for its temperate climate, Mosul’s Old City symbolizes Iraq’s ancient heritage. However, the region witnessed extensive destruction during ISIS control and subsequent liberation efforts, with militants targeting government buildings, educational centers, and hospitals.
Since its liberation in 2017, Mosul has faced significant challenges in reconstruction, with the Iraqi government estimating a need for at least $88 billion to rebuild infrastructure, restore homes, and assist displaced residents. Despite the formation of the Mosul Reconstruction Committee to address these issues, much of the devastation remains unaddressed seven years later.
From Destruction to Reconstruction
Since the defeat of the Islamic State in 2017, the Iraqi city of Mosul has struggled with slow reconstruction efforts. The Old City, the area most affected by the war, has seen millions of tons of rubble removed, but government-led reconstruction has primarily focused on restoring water and electricity networks and repairing roads.
Despite these efforts, political conflicts among local parties have hindered the quality and scope of reconstruction. Activists note that substantial reconstruction work began only after the end of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, which positively impacted municipal conditions in Mosul.
The pace of reconstruction has remained sluggish, with the accumulation of rubble complicating removal efforts and some neighborhoods remaining closed. Bureaucratic hurdles have also delayed projects, with financial allocations for reconstruction failing to match the extent of the damage.
Local activists assert that civil society and volunteer teams initiated the early reconstruction and relief campaigns, which eventually prompted the local government to support these efforts. International organizations, including those affiliated with the United Nations, later joined in, further advancing reconstruction efforts.
In recent years, progress has included the reconstruction of many government buildings and the paving of city roads, as well as the rebuilding of seven hospitals and numerous health centers. The local government reported rebuilding 345 schools within the first year, with additional schools still under construction. Mosul Governor Al-Jubouri stated that approximately $305 million in compensation has been paid to affected citizens, with an additional $270 million needed to complete compensation efforts.
Numerous bridges in Nineveh Governorate have also been rebuilt, including key structures like the Badush, Al Kayara, Munira, Al Zab, and Al Kawir bridges, which are among the longest in Iraq. Five bridges in Mosul connecting the city across the Tigris River have been restored, and work has begun on a sixth bridge north of the city.
While many historical mosques and churches have been rebuilt through international donations, other projects still face significant challenges. Health institutions, including hospitals and medical facilities in western Mosul, remain in disrepair, and infrastructure projects, such as Mosul International Airport, have encountered delays due to ongoing political conflicts and local council elections.
UNESCO’s “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” Project
A year after Mosul’s liberation, UNESCO initiated reconstruction and reconciliation efforts to restore the city’s rich and diverse heritage. This work is part of UNESCO’s “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative, launched in February 2018, aimed at revitalizing the city’s history and culture after extensive damage to its 2,500-year-old legacy.
With support from 31 countries and close collaboration with the Iraqi government and local communities, this initiative is one of the most ambitious restoration projects in recent decades. In partnership with the United Arab Emirates, UNESCO began rebuilding three symbolic landmarks in Mosul in the fall of 2018, working alongside the Ministries of Culture and the Sunni Endowment Diwan.
Projects include the reconstruction of the iconic Al-Nouri Mosque, the Al-Hadba Minaret, the Al-Sa’aa and Al-Tahera churches, 124 heritage houses, the Agha Mosque, and the Al-Ikhlas School in the Old City of Mosul, creating 3,100 local jobs.
The preparatory phase involved de-mining sites, consolidating remaining structures, and removing rubble, which included recovering valuable artifacts for reuse in reconstruction. This meticulous work was overseen by international experts and archeology students from the University of Mosul.
UNESCO’s revival efforts also aim to facilitate the return of displaced residents to their homes in the Old City. The organization is currently restoring 124 historic houses, supported by the European Union. Preparations included the removal of 2,107 tons of rubble and 21 unexploded ordnance.
As of now, UNESCO is nearing completion of the reconstruction of the first 44 historic buildings, enabling residents to return. The project is also focused on creating job opportunities for young people in Mosul, encouraging local participation in the rebuilding process. Recovery has been gradual, with extensive work needed to clear mines and restore homes, roads, and infrastructure for the city’s 1.5 million residents.
UNESCO, along with guests from Le Jour du Seigneur, hosted a preview screening on September 12, 2024, of the documentary “The Lady of the Hour in Mosul” by Frédéric Jacovlev. This film highlights the reconstruction of key sites in Mosul, including the Our Lady of the Hour Convent, the Al-Tahera Church, the Al-Nouri Mosque, and the Al-Hadba Minaret, all part of the “Reviving the Spirit of Mosul” initiative.
Rebuilding Mosul’s Landmarks
Mosul was once a vibrant Christian metropolis, a legacy reflected in its ancient and modern heritage that endures despite recent catastrophic events. The first church documented in Nineveh (modern-day Mosul) dates back to 570 AD, with the Mar Isha’ya Church mentioned in the “Chronicle of Seert,” confirming the presence of a pre-existing Christian community. Over the centuries, various councils and conflicts led to the establishment of numerous churches from different denominations, including Armenian and Latin congregations.
UNESCO’s preparatory phase, which encompassed three key sites, was crucial for establishing a solid foundation for reconstruction. This involved securing external borders and removing rubble laden with explosives. Following this, the consolidation phase commenced, during which detailed designs for the reconstruction process were developed in consultation with local residents and experts to ensure community involvement and ownership.
Al-Hadba Minaret
The Al-Hadba Minaret, with a history spanning 800 years, dominates the Mosul skyline and serves as a symbol of the city and Iraq. Residents expressed a strong desire to rebuild the minaret to its original 45-meter height, decorated with bricks and maintaining its signature slant, as it stood before its destruction in 2017.
Rebuilding the minaret has posed significant challenges, particularly in recreating its original slanted shape using traditional construction methods. The process involves a series of specialized engineering operations, including securing and strengthening the foundations that will support the cylindrical structure. A critical stage of construction involves developing a new foundation system that connects the minaret’s base to stable soil. Efforts will be made to use as many of the original 44,000 bricks as possible, although maintaining the original slope of 2.5 meters will be impossible due to material limitations.
Al-Nuri Mosque
The renowned Al-Nuri Mosque, which ISIS destroyed in 2017, is slated to reopen by the end of this year as part of a major UN initiative to restore some of Iraq’s most historic religious sites. The mosque, famous for its leaning minaret, was a significant landmark where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a “caliphate” in 2014. After ISIS was expelled in 2017, Nineveh was left in ruins.
The restoration project, launched in 2018, has largely completed the structural aspects of the mosque and minaret, including the consolidation of the dome and prayer hall. However, work on the leaning minaret and finishing touches remains ongoing. The battle to reclaim Mosul from ISIS lasted almost nine months, resulting in widespread devastation, thousands of civilian deaths, and the displacement of over 900,000 people.
To ensure authenticity, UNESCO sourced bricks that match the original dimensions, thickness, and patterns. The project, called “Revive the Spirit of Mosul,” has received substantial funding from the UAE, which contributed $50 million to restore the Al-Nuri complex. Since its inception, the project has created 3,000 jobs for locals and expanded to include the restoration of two nearby churches, Al-Saa’a and Al-Tahera.
The Clock Church (Al-Sa’aa)
The Our Lady of the Hour Convent, established in the 1870s by the Dominicans, is located in central Mosul and is known for its bell tower and four-faced clock. The first papal mission to Mesopotamia arrived in 1870, leading to the creation of this convent, which has served religious, cultural, and social purposes.
During ISIS’s occupation, the monastery was vandalized and misused. Restoration efforts began in 2021 as part of a broader initiative by UNESCO to revitalize downtown Mosul. The project emphasizes cooperation between Christians and Muslims, aiming to restore both the convent and a nearby mosque, symbolizing a return to the city’s diverse heritage.
Church of the Immaculate Conception (Al-Tahera)
The Syriac Catholic Church of Al-Tahera, built in 1859 and restored a century later, was severely damaged during ISIS’s control from 2014 to 2017. The roof collapsed, and significant portions of its arcades and exterior walls were destroyed.
The reconstruction of Al-Tahera Church mirrors the Clock Church project, aligning with community expectations and respecting the site’s cultural and religious significance. The detailed design is complete, and an Iraqi contractor has been selected for the restoration.
Mosul Museum
When ISIS seized Mosul in 2014, it looted and destroyed priceless Assyrian and Sumerian artifacts in the Mosul Museum. The world watched in horror as militants smashed historic sculptures, a campaign that was condemned as a war crime by the UN.
The devastation inflicted on the Mosul Museum constituted a profound cultural loss in a region considered a cradle of civilization. ISIS targeted these cultural sites not for military significance but to erase civic identity. Many smaller items were stolen, while about 25,000 volumes from the museum library were burned, and the buildings suffered extensive damage, including a significant hole in the Assyrian Hall floor from a bomb blast.
Recognizing the need for reconstruction, organizations worldwide are collaborating on the project, including the Smithsonian, the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, the Louvre, the World Monuments Fund, and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas. Restoration efforts began with documenting the damage and collecting evidence of the destruction.
The goal is for the Mosul Museum to reopen in 2026, fostering tourism in the Old City, improving living standards, and restoring hope to a city rich in archaeological treasures.
Mosul University
Education, culture, and heritage are key elements for successful reconstruction and deserve full support. Mosul University, the second largest in Iraq with 30,000 students, bears the scars of war, occupation, and destruction as it rebuilds its campus and community after enduring a dark chapter in its history.
The university was subjected to a reign of terror during ISIS control, which reshaped its curriculum and ethos to align with the group’s ideology. Subjects like literature and philosophy were suspended, and anything perceived as opposing their religious views was attacked. ISIS militants burned books in the central library and demolished archaeological sites, deeming any literature that did not advance their agenda as meaningless. Academics linked to the West or loyal to the Iraqi government were targeted, and university staff faced threats for not reporting escape plans of colleagues. Novels, movies, music, and even cellphones were banned.
During the occupation, the university shifted focus to subjects supporting ISIS’s war efforts. Foreign fighters used some buildings for accommodation, and physical sciences became prioritized. ISIS promoted training in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and dentistry to fill gaps left by fleeing doctors. Even sports were reimagined as jihadist training, incorporating military-style lessons.
After more than two years of occupation, the university faced destruction from ground and air attacks. The central library remains in ruins, a stark reminder of what was once one of the largest libraries in the Middle East. Academics described a climate of fear, with books burned and subjects banned. Those who remained in Mosul felt compelled to attend under threat of violence.
Now liberated, students and faculty are grateful to return, but a lingering sense of fear persists. The psychological legacy of war and occupation casts a long shadow over the campus. While rubble remains to be cleared, academic links with the international community are being rebuilt. Collaborations with institutions like Lancaster University are underway, offering expertise and technology, while St. Andrews University organizes fundraising initiatives to send books to Mosul.
The university has suffered from isolation, but efforts are underway to restore its cultural vibrancy. More than 3,000 books have been shipped to Mosul, and the Mosul Book Bridge project aims to replenish a library that once housed a million volumes. There are encouraging signs of minority groups, such as Christian and Yazidi students, returning, further enriching the university’s diversity.
Despite ongoing insecurities and concerns about post-war corruption, the need for modern facilities and resources remains critical. Renovations have begun, but many classrooms and equipment are outdated, highlighting the need for new teaching methods and administrative practices.
Mosul Airport
Mosul International Airport was initially established as a civil airport in 1990 and reopened on December 2, 2007, after extensive renovations. Captured by ISIS in June 2014, it became a strategic military site until liberation by Iraqi forces on February 23, 2017.
The airport suffered significant damage during the occupation, with militants reportedly sabotaging runways and infrastructure. Following liberation, de-mining efforts were completed by November 2019, paving the way for a comprehensive rebuilding plan.
The rehabilitation of Mosul International Airport is crucial for enhancing regional connectivity and supporting local economic recovery. Its restoration signifies a vital step toward rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure and improving transportation options for residents of the Nineveh governorate.
As of now, 86 percent of the rehabilitation is complete, and the airport is set to resume civilian flights in 2025.
A Taste of Safety, Security, Stability, and Freedom
Mosul endured a painful three years under ISIS, but now, following liberation, the city is slowly reclaiming its spirit. Many Iraqi cities are experiencing relative stability after decades of conflict, and Mosul is no exception.
Seven years after authorities declared victory over ISIS, the streets, parks, and restaurants of Mosul are once again bustling with families enjoying newfound safety and freedom. Restaurants near historic sites like Kara Saray Palace are thriving, with hundreds of patrons daily enjoying local and international cuisine.
Nearby, a tourist complex in a previously popular forest area offers amusement parks, restaurants, and gardens, drawing families seeking leisure and normalcy.
Conclusion
Mosul has endured tremendous loss, but there is renewed hope for the future. The ongoing revival efforts in the city reflect a collective commitment to humanity. Today, the power of international cooperation is evident in the preservation of heritage, the creation of jobs, and the training of young people, all of which foster hope and lay the groundwork for lasting peace.
Despite the challenges that remain, the spirit of resilience among Mosul’s residents is palpable. As the city rebuilds, it serves as a testament to the strength of its community and the global commitment to support its recovery. The sights and sounds of everyday life returning to the streets signal a brighter chapter for Mosul and its people.
Sources: Al Jazeera.net, Ahmed Al Dabbagh, UNESCO/Moamin Al-Obaidi, Alhurra / Special –Washington, Al-Arabiya News, The National, The Smithsonian Institution, Wikipedia, and Iraqi News.com.