UAE, UNESCO and EU reopen restored heritage sites in Mosul

UAE delegation attends opening ceremony

The UAE delegation was led by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, and included Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture. Senior Iraqi officials, ministers, and UNESCO representatives also attended the event. The ceremony marked a major milestone in restoring Mosul’s historic landmarks under the ‘Revive the Spirit of Mosul’ initiative.

Al Kaabi: Restoring Mosul’s memory and identity

In her address, Al Kaabi thanked the Iraqi government and UNESCO for their collaboration in making the reconstruction a success. She highlighted the UAE’s role in restoring the Great Mosque of Al-Nuri, the Al-Hadba Minaret, and the Al-Tahera and Al-Sa’aa churches.

Al Kaabi stated: “Our message was clear: the UAE stands with the people of Iraq to preserve, protect, and restore their human history. Protecting heritage is a moral and humanitarian responsibility toward future generations.”

She emphasised that under the directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has regarded the reconstruction of Mosul as a global responsibility and a model for international cooperation in heritage preservation.

Mosul’s cultural revival: A symbol of hope

Al Kaabi reflected on the symbolism of the minaret’s reconstruction, calling it: “A declaration that Mosul’s voice is stronger than all those who sought to silence it. It is a symbol of the will to live and a message of hope... that Mosul will remain a city of civilization and coexistence.”

Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi: Culture as a tool for recovery

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to protecting heritage in conflict zones and emphasized the role of culture in promoting coexistence and community recovery.

He stated: “The ‘Revive the Spirit of Mosul’ project is a leading model of international cooperation. It not only involved the reconstruction of historic landmarks but also included training and educational programs that helped build and empower the local community.”

UAE’s financial commitment to Mosul's restoration

Sheikh Salem noted that the UAE allocated $50.4 million for Mosul’s restoration, complemented by $48.2 million from the European Union, alongside support from other international partners. These contributions underscore a shared global commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage.

Attendance by UAE and international officials

The event was also attended by Abdulla Matar Al Mazrouei, UAE Ambassador to Iraq; Ali Al Haj, UAE Permanent Delegate to UNESCO; Khaled Al Nuaimi, Director of the Federal Youth Authority; and Several other senior UAE and Iraqi officials.