Iraq Inaugurates Iconic Landmarks Rehabilitated by UNESCO

Mohamed Al Hassan (not pictured), Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), attended the opening of the Grand Nuri Mosque and Al-Tahra Church in Mosul, Iraq, in the presence of Mohammed Shia` Al-Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, as well as Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.

"As we celebrate the rehabilitation of this mosque and its neighbor Al-Tahra Church, we are not celebrating the stones that have been rebuilt, but we are celebrating the revival of the Iraqi spirit. It is the symbol for the return of life, a mark of rejection of extremism, and the restoration of the values of co-existence that have been and remain a beacon of this country. I say this publicly: Mosul has returned and will return, and I call for the lifting of restrictions on Mosul and its people," said Mr. Al Hassan at the ceremony that celebrated the results of UNESCO's reconstruction work under its Revive the Spirit of Mosul initiative, symbolizing a collective triumph of resilience, coexistence, and global solidarity.

A view of Mosul with the Al-Tahra Church in the foreground.