By Anas al-Bar | 2025-09-16

The city of Mosul in Iraq has regained one of its oldest and most iconic landmarks, the Great Mosque of al-Nuri and its famous leaning minaret.

Eight years after its destruction by the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS), the mosque reopened its doors to residents for prayers and religious events on September 1.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani presided over the official reopening ceremony, which also marked the restoration of the Church of al-Tahira and Our Lady of the Hour Church in Mosul’s old city.

Local leaders and representatives of several states and organizations attended, including the United Arab Emirates, which financed the $50 million restoration under UNESCO’s "Revive the Spirit of Mosul" initiative.

Over the past five years, specialists undertook painstaking work to rebuild the mosque and its minaret, "al-Hadba," which ISIS militants demolished during the 2017 battle to retake Mosul.

The restoration process involved collecting and reassembling nearly 26,000 fragments of destroyed stones to preserve the site’s authenticity and recover its finest architectural details, guided by historical photographs and documents.

A new birth for Mosul

"Its restoration is a victory for coexistence and civil peace in Mosul, and proof of the resilience and recovery of its residents despite all crises," Ninawa Governor Abdul Qader al-Dakhil told Al-Fassel.

He described the reopening of the mosque as "a new birth for Mosul," as it represents "the spirit, history, and identity of the city."

"It sends a message of defiance to the terrorists who sought, by bombing mosques, churches, and other houses of worship, to tear the fabric of society apart with sectarianism and extremism," he added.

"The people of Mosul have proven their deep-rooted loyalty to their homeland, their unity, and their ability to rise again and rebuild their city," al-Dakhil said.

Celebrations

On September 3, the mosque witnessed its first celebration of the Prophet’s Birthday.

"For many years, we haven’t celebrated the Prophet’s Birthday at the Great Mosque," Mohammed al-Saffar, a Mosul resident, told Al-Fassel.

"We have once again returned to pray at this historic landmark, which now hosts our religious celebrations and study groups after it was renovated," he said.

"With the reopening of the mosque, the will of evil and darkness embodied by ISIS and its bloody ideology has been defeated once and for all," he said.

"Our joy is beyond description," said Saeed al-Obaidi, another resident.

"The mosque's reopening is an exceptional and joyful event for all residents, and is a symbol of their unity against ISIS and their determination to live free of terrorism and dark ideologies," he said.