Posted on 09/21/2020 6:05:08 AM PDT by Cronos
The first clearance of rubble and explosives around the Al Tahera Catholic Church in Mosul has been completed paving the way for reconstruction to begin, the UN’s cultural agency said on Thursday.
The church was severely damaged by ISIS during the bloody internationally-backed Iraqi government battle to wrest the northern Iraqi city back from the militants.
Launched under the Reviving the Spirit of Mosul programme that aims to restore the shattered city, the agency aims to rebuild Mosul’s historic landmarks. The reconstruction of the Al Tahera Church as well as several other religious sites – including the famous Al Nuri Mosque with it's leaning minaret – is being funded by the UAE.
“This step sends a message of hope to the community in Mosul that has always been an incubator for religious and intellectual discourse,” the UAE’s Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development Noura Al Kaabi said.
The UAE funded project was launched in 2018 and began with the support to restore the 12th century Al Nuri Mosque and was expanded to include the nearby church and other buildings.
It is also offering training for young professionals, strengthening the capacities of local talent and creating job opportunities.
“Through our restorative efforts with Uneco, the UAE aims to rebuild various places of worship and allow displaced Moslawis to return to their homes,” Ms Al Kaabi said.
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