UAE-Led Restoration Revives Mosul’s Historic Spirit After ISIS Devastation

The UAE’s Minister of State, Noura Al Kaabi, has hailed the completion of a landmark cultural restoration in Mosul, describing it as a victory for “the culture of life” over the “culture of death” imposed by ISIS.

Standing inside the reconstructed Al Nuri Mosque, Ms Al Kaabi reflected on the seven-year project that restored some of Mosul’s most important religious and cultural landmarks, including two churches, in partnership with UNESCO and Iraq’s Ministry of Culture.

“When the President [Sheikh Mohamed] instructed us in 2018 to fly to Baghdad and sign an MOU, he wanted us to act quickly,” she told The National. “He wanted the culture of hope to defeat the culture of death that Daesh tried to spread.”

The $50.4 million UAE-funded initiative, part of a wider $115 million effort, not only rebuilt historic sites but also provided training and jobs for more than 3,500 Mosul residents.

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Ms Al Kaabi said. “But I feel there’s still more to do. Restoration is not just about bricks; it’s about people, about bringing back the spirit of a place.”

The project, titled Revive the Spirit of Mosul, has become a symbol of resilience for the ancient city, once a center of diversity and learning. Its residents welcomed the reopening of their landmarks with music and dance, celebrating a new chapter after years of devastation.

ISIS captured Mosul in June 2014, turning it into the heart of its so-called caliphate. From the pulpit of Al Nuri Mosque, the group’s leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi declared his rule in a speech broadcast worldwide. The ensuing battle to liberate the city left entire neighborhoods in ruins.

Today, while scars of war remain, the UAE’s restoration effort has given Mosul fresh hope. “Coexistence and stability are what will bring hope to the young Muslims and to the region,” Ms Al Kaabi said. “The darkness Daesh wanted to spread is now lit by the people of Mosul, by its women, children, and communities determined to define a better future.”