The architectural design chosen for the reconstruction of Al Nuri Mosque complex in Mosul will ensure the identity of the historic site is preserved, but the surrounding area will change, an official told The National.
Last November Unesco, the UN's cultural agency, launched a competition that called for a conceptual design of the area around the mosque, which was destroyed by ISIS in 2017.
The Courtyards Dialogue design submitted by eight Egyptian architects was selected last week from 123 anonymous entries, but the drawings were criticised by some Iraqis.
An independent international jury assessed the drawings in line with Unesco’s standards.
"What must be understood is the drawings did not change the location and design of the mosque and minaret," Ahmed Al Omari, a member of the jury and professor at Mosul University, told The National.
"One of the main requirements of the competition was that they stay as they are."
The designs were based on preserving the standing structures of the prayer hall, the rehabilitation of some historical buildings, and their integration into the new designs, including the landscaping of the entire site, Prof Al Omari said.
“We felt the Egyptian drawing took into account the functions and needs of the city and integrated it into the mosque’s complex.
"We want all the designs to reflect the identity of Mosul and to have cultural links."
The design received mixed reviews on social media, with some welcoming the design and others saying it was “too modern”.
“We thought a new identity was needed for the surrounding area,” Prof Al Omari said.
“However, due to the fact the reconstruction will be done on a historical site, we agreed that the drawing had to reflect its background."
ISIS destroyed the 12-century mosque as Iraqi government troops moved to recapture the city in 2017.
Three years earlier, the extremist group's leader, Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, proclaimed a caliphate from the mosque.
Damascus emir Nur Al Din Al Zanki ordered the construction of the great mosque in 1172.
It is famous for its leaning minaret, nicknamed Al Hadba, the humpback.
The UAE is funding the Revive the Spirit of Mosul project, launched by Unesco, to rebuild the city’s historic landmarks.
In 2018, the UAE donated more than $50 million to support the project, which will restore Al Nuri Mosque and its minaret, Al Saa’a Monastery and the 800-year-old Al Tahera church.
The winning architects will now produce a more detailed design, with a view to beginning construction in late autumn.
The jury paid particular attention to designs that enhanced the position of Al Nuri Mosque complex as an open urban space.
It will be integrated into the Old City of Mosul, creating a community space, said Salma Al Darmaki, secretary general of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and project manager of UAE-backed projects in Mosul.
"Special attention was paid to the proposed connections with existing buildings and remains within the perimeters of the complex, in particular Al Hadba minaret, which was not included in the scope of the competition," Ms Al Darmaki told The National.
The jury appreciated the "skilful way in which these various elements were integrated in the winning design", she said.
Ms Al Darmaki said the UAE would ensure the historical site was rebuilt according to international standards.
“The decision of what the mosque should look like when it is rebuilt is for the people and government of Iraq to decide, in accordance with international standards and best practice in this field,” she said.
Ms Al Darmaki said the UAE felt it was crucial that the “mosque serves the needs of the people of Mosul, promotes the values of unity and fraternity, and preserves the elements of heritage".
“We hope that it can serve as a space for prayer, reflection and learning, and contribute to the healing of the city," she said.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
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The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
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Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
Ordinary Virtues: Moral Order in a Divided World by Michael Ignatieff
Harvard University Press
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
