A UN project to rebuild some of Iraq’s most famous religious sites has restored cultural vitality and social fabric to the city of Mosul, says Unesco chief Audrey Azoulay, describing the work as the agency's most “ambitious and impactful”.

Reconstruction of the city's landmark Al Nuri Mosque and its Al Hadba minaret began eight years ago after they were blown up by ISIS in 2017. Restoration work has also been carried out on two churches, Al Safa and Al Tahera.

Completion of the Revive the Spirit of Mosul initiative, launched by Ms Azoulay and largely funded by the UAE, which pledged $50 million, “symbolises a profound moment of resilience, unity, and hope for Mosul”, she told The National as she began an informal visit on Wednesday.

“This stands as a testament to the unique character of the city and the determination of the Moslawis to reclaim their heritage and identity,” the Unesco director general added.

Al Nuri Mosque is one of Mosul's oldest landmarks, known for its leaning minaret nicknamed the “hunchback”, which dates to the 12th century. ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi proclaimed a caliphate from the site in 2014.

It was blown up by the extremist group in 2017 as its fighters fled the city, leaving it to Iraqi government forces.

“Al Nuri Mosque holds immense historical and emotional significance for Moslawis, and its rehabilitation serves as a powerful symbol of revival,” Ms Azoulay said. “Today, Mosul once again becomes the beacon of hope that it should never have ceased to be.”

The mosque derives its name from Nureddine Al Zinki, the unifier of Syria who reigned for a time over Mosul. He ordered construction of the structure in 1172. It was destroyed and rebuilt in 1942 in a renovation project, with only the ancient minaret remaining from the original structure.

'Ambitious'

Ms Azoulay, a former French culture minister, said “many were sceptical about our ability to succeed” when she proposed and launched the project in 2018.

The support of the UAE alongside the EU and other partners has been “crucial in making the idea a reality, and I thank them for their confidence in Unesco”, she said. “Today, everyone can see the tangible results. It is one of Unesco’s most ambitious and impactful projects in the world," she added.

“This is the first time that our organisation has directly led and implemented such extensive work, adopting a holistic approach that combines heritage, cultural life and education while placing them at the heart of the recovery of a historic city that had been razed to the ground.”

The project has also provided 7,000 jobs in Mosul since it started, Ms Azoulay said.

“My most moving memory is when the scaffolding of the Al Hadba minaret was removed, and we could suddenly see it again, leaning as it was before its destruction, just as the people of Mosul had asked us to restore it,” she told The National.

Ms Azoulay said she has developed “deep affection” for Mosul and its people. She thanked the workers, engineers, experts, local NGOs, religious representatives and the wider community for contributing to the success of the work. “This initiative is, first and foremost, a human adventure,” she said.

Security challenges

Unesco faced many challenges including clearing the site of mines, salvaging historical artefacts from rubble, and the outbreak of Covid-19 that delayed the five-year deadline. They also attempted to restore destroyed bricks and attach them back to buildings.

“Working in a post-conflict environment was of unprecedented complexity,” Ms Azoulay said.

Her team “had to move forwards despite initially very restrictive security conditions. It was necessary to recover documentation on monuments and train a new generation of construction and heritage professionals.”

Unexpected archaeological discoveries beneath the mosque were one of the highlights of the initiative for the Unesco director general, she said.

“During excavation works, previously unknown historical layers dating back to the 12th century were uncovered, revealing new dimensions of the site's rich history,” she told The National.

In agreement with the local Sunni waqf and Iraq's Ministry of Culture, “we decided that these rooms will be accessible as a museum”.

The project shows “how impactful and action-orientated international co-operation can be when designed and carried out in close collaboration with the local population”, she said. “It is an example of how heritage, culture and education can be powerful tools for rebuilding societies, both in Iraq and beyond.”