UAE Culture Minister: Rebuild Of Al-Nuri Mosque Represents Message Of Stability, Life To Mosul’s Community

UAE Culture Minister: Rebuild of Al-Nuri Mosque represents message of stability, life to Mosul’s community

by Esraa Esmail ABU DHABI, (Pakistan Point News - 18th Dec, 2018) Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, has said that laying of the cornerstone to rebuild the Al-Nuri Mosque and Al-Hadba' Minaret in the Iraqi city of Mosul is an important event in the city’s history that generations will remember for decades to come. Iraqi religious leaders laid the cornerstone for the mosque on 16th December. The mosque and minaret were destroyed by Daesh in June 2017.

Commenting on the five-year project, which is being financed by a US$50.4 million (AED185,2 million) donation from the UAE, Al Kaabi said, "The start of the reconstruction of the mosque – which is being implemented according to the timetable set out during the (September 2018 ) meeting of the Joint Steering Committee held in Abu Dhabi – represents a message of stability and life to the community of Mosul, helping them to be optimistic and giving them hope in a society destroyed by terrorism, which stole the people’s ambitions and dreams.

"We look forward to cooperating with our Iraqi brothers, UNESCO and all our partners in this project to accomplish the required work, so that this historical landmark will return to its pioneering role as a witness to human civilisation."

She noted that the reconstruction of the Al-Nuri Mosque is a message of peace and co-existence in a multi-religious and multi-cultural society. It coincides with the UAE's declaration of the 2019 as the 'Year of Tolerance', she added, drawing attention to the role of the UAE in safeguarding the world heritage and preserving cultural resources through adopting sustainable initiatives, thus guaranteeing the right of future generations in archaeological and heritage sites.

In April 2018, the UAE and Iraq signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cultural cooperation, with this landmark project in Mosul being a centerpiece of the agreement between the two countries. The project, also covered by an agreement with UNESCO, covers support that also includes the construction of a new memorial site with community and educational spaces to be open to the public.