Anger at cubist restoration of Mosul mosque

‘Gulf-style’ plan to rebuild Al Nouri complex blown up by jihadists is betrayal of city’s heritage, say Iraqis

A UN plan to restore the mosque where Islamic State declared its caliphate has been criticised by architects and archaeologists who object to the “Gulfinspired” cubist redesign in the historic centre of Mosul. Experts said the blueprint, which won an international competition, ignored the heritage of Iraq’s second city in favour of modernist architecture, and questioned why a local architect had not been chosen for the project.

On Thursday, Unesco announced it had selected an Egyptian firm to rebuild Al Nouri mosque as part of a project to restore parts of Mosul’s Old City, which was heavily damaged during its occupation by IS militants. The UAE has pledged $50 million (£36 million) towards restoring the mosque. Many Mosulawis, as residents of the city are known, expected the mosque complex to be rebuilt with domes and arches in keeping with the Old City’s architectural style – and they are not happy with the sleek modern design that has been chosen.

“It’s not Mosul. It looks exactly like Sharjah,” said Rasha al-aqeedi, a senior analyst for the Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy in the US, referring to the Gulf emirate renowned for its contemporary architecture.

“You see here the UAE influence,” said Ms Aqeedi, who is from Mosul.

“But it did not require redesign.” Al Nouri mosque gained global notoriety in 2014 as the site where Abu Bakr albaghdadi anointed himself head of a restored caliphate. It was his sole public appearance as IS leader, after the militants seized the city in a blitzkrieg takeover of a third of Iraq and Syria.

Three years later, as Iraqi security forces fought a nine-month battle to retake Mosul, besieged IS fighters demolished the complex with explosives, rather than allow it to be retaken.

Long before its association with the militants, Al Nouri was renowned for its 12th century leaning minaret. Named Al Hadba, or “the hunchback”, the off-kilter tower in time became a symbol of the city. Nearly four years after fighting ended, much of Mosul’s Old City remains in ruins.

The historical value of the Old City’s vernacular architecture should be paramount in rebuilding, said Junaid alfakhri, a Mosul archaeologist.

“Al Nouri mosque is part of Mosul’s DNA,” he said. “The mosque and the minaret are archaeological and historical sites that must be preserved, and no detail should be changed that reduces their archaeological value.” The winning Egyptian team said that their submission “primarily addresses the need for social cohesion and revival of souls”.

Unesco said the nine jurors on the selection panel included two Iraqis and that they consulted representatives from the Iraqi prime minister’s office and the Ministry of Culture.

Paolo Fontana, head of Unesco in Iraq, said the minaret would be rebuilt as it was before, as would the prayer hall, which will be reconstructed using modern building materials to improve lighting and cooling.