UNESCO Completes Restoration of Mosul Heritage Sites

UNESCO on Wednesday celebrated the completion of its $115 million “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” program, restoring several key religious monuments damaged during the ISIS rule, The Art Newspaper reported. Notable sites, including the Al-Nouri Mosque, Al-Tahera Church, and Al-Saa’a Convent, have been revitalized as symbols of resilience and pluralism.

The Al-Nouri Mosque, heavily damaged in 2017, features its iconic leaning minaret, rebuilt with original materials and expertise from structural engineers. The Al-Tahera Church, opened in 1862, now boasts two new bells adorned with motifs of the Virgin Mary. The Al-Saa’a Convent, vital to the community’s history, has also been restored.

The project, funded primarily by the United Arab Emirates and the European Union, has trained over 1,300 young people in traditional skills.