Tue Feb 11 15:41:09 UTC 2025: ## Mosul’s Iconic Leaning Minaret Rebuilt After ISIS Destruction

**Mosul, Iraq –** The Grand al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul, Iraq, has been fully restored, marking a significant milestone in the city’s reconstruction following years of war and ISIS occupation. The mosque’s iconic 150-foot leaning minaret, Al-Hadba (“the hunchback”), which was destroyed by ISIS in 2017, has been rebuilt. The minaret’s destruction symbolized the extremist group’s brutal reign and its destruction of cultural heritage.

The rebuilding project, a collaboration between UNESCO, the European Union, and the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, involved over $115 million in funding from 15 international partners. The United Arab Emirates and the EU were the most significant contributors.

For Mosul residents, the minaret’s restoration holds deep emotional significance. Mahmoud Thannon, a 70-year-old tailor who witnessed the minaret’s destruction and lost two sons during the fighting, described the rebuilding as a joyous occasion, saying, “Watching the Hadba minaret rise again is a joyous day. I feel our pride soaring high as well.”

The al-Nuri Mosque, built in the 12th century, played a crucial role in ISIS’s history. From its pulpit, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his self-proclaimed caliphate in 2014. Its restoration is viewed as a symbol of Mosul’s resilience and its return to normalcy. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay hailed the project as bringing “history back” and restoring the city’s identity. The rebuilt mosque and minaret stand as a testament to the ongoing efforts to rebuild Mosul and preserve its cultural heritage.

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