Mosul Reopens Iconic Al-Nuri Mosque, Al-Hadba Minaret, and Historic Churches After Eight Years of Destruction

Mosul Reopens Iconic Al-Nuri Mosque, Al-Hadba Minaret, and Historic Churches After Eight Years of Destruction
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After eight years of destruction during the occupation by ISIS, the Iraqi city of Mosul celebrated the reopening of several key religious and cultural landmarks on Monday, including the historic Al-Nuri Mosque, the Al-Hadba Minaret, the Dominican Fathers’ Clock Church, and the Syriac Catholic Church of Al-Tahira.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani described the reconstruction of Al-Nuri Mosque and its leaning minaret as a symbol of Iraq’s enduring cultural heritage and the resilience of its people. Built in 1172 by Nur al-Din Zangi, the mosque and its 45-meter-high minaret—nicknamed “Al-Hadba” for its distinctive tilt—are iconic features of Mosul’s architectural identity.

Al-Tahira Church, dating back approximately 800 years, and the 19th-century Clock Church also reflect the city’s religious diversity. The reopening marks a major milestone in efforts to revive Mosul’s cultural landscape, which suffered extensive damage under ISIS control in 2014.

The reconstruction was led by UNESCO under its “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative, launched in 2018 with support from the Iraq Reconstruction Conference in Kuwait. The effort included rebuilding religious sites, 124 historic homes, and additional heritage structures, using original materials where possible to preserve architectural authenticity.