The painstaking reconstruction of the Al-Nouri Mosque’s iconic minaret is nearing completion, according to the archaeological committee overseeing the project. Despite the devastation wrought by ISIS in 2017, the minaret is being painstakingly rebuilt using original materials recovered from the site.
Archaeologist Abdullah Mahmoud, head of the committee, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the minaret’s structure is now complete, with only interior tiling, electrical work, windows, and doors remaining. He emphasized the project’s commitment to preserving the minaret’s historical character, explaining that the original bricks and mortar have been reused wherever possible. Even the minaret’s distinctive tilt and intricate geometric decorations have been meticulously recreated. “The return of the minaret,” Mahmoud stated, “is the return of the spirit to Mosul because it expresses the city’s identity.”
UNESCO site engineer Mustafa Khaled Al-Diwani also spoke with INA, highlighting the collaborative nature of the reconstruction effort. He explained that UNESCO, in partnership with the Inspectorate of Heritage and Antiquities and the Sunni Endowment in Nineveh, has overseen the project. Al-Diwani confirmed the completion of the interior construction and noted that approximately 25,000 artifacts recovered from the minaret’s rubble have been incorporated into the reconstruction. He added that a combination of traditional and modern building techniques, along with a new foundation, has been employed to ensure the minaret’s structural integrity while preserving its architectural heritage.
