Three years after ISIS blew up Al Nuri Mosque and its leaning Al Hadba minaret in Mosul, the Iraqi and UAE governments have reaffirmed their commitment to rebuilding the 12th Century monument.
Speaking to The National, Iraq's newly appointed Minister of Culture Hassan Nadhim said "the best response to those horrific, terrorist acts is to rebuild", adding "there is serious work ongoing to rebuild Al Nuri Mosque and Al Hadba and the two churches Al Tahera and Al Saa'a which we will be completing with the UAE government".
The UAE has pledged $50.4 million (Dh185m) to restore Al Nuri Mosque and the Hadba Minaret, in addition to providing expertise and support to coordinate the reconstruction.
Last October, the Emirates also said it would fund the rebuilding of two neighbouring historic churches, Al Saa’a and Al Tahera.
The 45-metre tall Al Hadba minaret was built 840 years ago. Prior to its destruction, its distinctive lean gave it its name, which translates as 'the hunchback' in Arabic.
There is serious work ongoing to rebuild Al Nuri Mosque and Al Hadba and the two churches Al Tahera and Al Saa'a which we will be completing with the UAE government"
Mosul itself has been called Al Hadba. The famed minaret was destroyed by ISIS on June 21, 2017, as militants retreated amid a battle that left much of the historic city in ruins.
Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi visited Mosul and the grounds of Al Nuri Mosque. During his visit on June 10 he vowed that ISIS would never again regain control of the site, insisting history “will never be repeated”.
Hosham Dawood, the Iraqi Prime Minister's adviser, told The National "the Prime Minister visited on a painful anniversary of the betrayal of Mosul, and it is not possible to visit Ninewah without stopping at the place that symbolises the spirit of Mosul, that is Al Nuri Mosque".
He added “the Iraqi government and its friends are committed to rebuilding Al Nuri and its famed minaret... the Prime Minister is committed to rebuilding this important monument and the city of Mosul and we thank the UAE that has provided crucial support to us”.
Mr Nadhim, who assumed his position on June 6, met with the UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Noura Al Kaabi, by teleconference last week “and we agreed on how we will respond to these terror attacks by rebuilding within the appropriate time frame”.
Ms Al Kaabi told The National that everyone involved in rebuilding Iraq's historic mosque was "laser focused" on rebuilding.
Ms Al Kaabi said “we don’t just see Al Nuri as just a mosque, rather what is symbolises from a historical collection of humanity, plus the two churches adjacent to it”.
She added that the “commitment from the UAE government, specifically from Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, is a sign of our total rejection of what happened and the dark memory that it brings back when we look at the anniversary”.
“We feel ashamed that our religion was abused in this way," she said. "How can you reconstruct this image? Not just from a physical perspective, from a spiritual perspective, and the importance of inclusivity, leading to a better result for all involved”.
A number of organisations are involved in the rebuilding of the Al Hadba and Al Nuri, including the Sunni Waqf. Unesco is the implementing partner on the project.
Moreover, Iraq has had three ministers of culture since the 2018 announcement of the rebuilding of the mosque.
However, Ms Al Kaabi said “despite the changes, we are all laser focused with the goal of delivering this project”. Ms Al Kaabi admitted that current circumstances given the Covid-19 outbreak had complicated matters, but that the project was still "on track”.
Unesco initially launched a process to consider ways of rebuilding the mosque and minaret, including ideas of reconstruction in its original form. Others suggested modernising its architecture.
There was widespread support from Maslawis to keep the mosque in its original form. Mr Nadhim confirmed “in my meeting with the UAE minister of Culture last week, we agreed that the reconstruction is to be in the original form, without modifications”.
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Results
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Bainoona, Ricardo Iacopini, Eric Lemartinel.
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: Assyad, Victoria Larsen, Eric Lemartinel.
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1 Dh5,000,000 1,600m
Winner: Mashhur Al Khalediah, Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Phillip Collington.
