Latest news with #RevivetheSpiritofMosul
Al Etihad
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
UAE, Lebanese ministers underscore cultural heritage as 'a bridge to peace'
1 May 2025 16:08 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 hosted a panel discussion titled 'Heritage for Peace: Safeguarding Heritage Sites in Conflict Zones', with the participation of Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, and Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Lebanon's Minister of session focused on the vital role of cultural heritage in promoting peace, and rebuilding societies affected by conflict. Both speakers emphasised that the preservation of heritage serves as a bridge for peace, and a pillar for identity preservation, in war-torn Kaabi highlighted UAE-led initiatives that demonstrate how safeguarding cultural sites can support post-conflict recovery. The UNESCO-led 'Revive the Spirit of Mosul' project in Iraq – supported by the UAE – is rebuilding historic landmarks such as Mosul's Al-Nouri Mosque and Al-Tahera Church. More than 1,700 young Iraqis have been trained through this initiative to restore heritage sites and contribute to community reconstruction."Protecting both tangible and intangible culture is a top priority for the UAE," Al Kaabi said, underlining that the preservation of heritage is a collective responsibility, and "an integral part of fostering human dialogue and building bridges between peoples." She added that cultural heritage forms a fundamental element of community identity, and lays the foundations for peace and Kaabi also discussed the UAE's role in the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), launched in partnership with France. Through ALIPH, the UAE has supported more than 500 projects worldwide dedicated to protecting and restoring cultural heritage. These efforts, she explained, align with the UAE's broader vision of raising global awareness, regarding the value of heritage, in building a sustainable future for the next generation. The international partnerships also underscore the significance of funding and collaborative action in safeguarding humanity's shared Ghassan Salamé commended the UAE's contributions, and stressed the need for inclusive, community-driven approaches to heritage preservation."Restoring heritage should not be left to international organisations alone – it must be a joint effort that engages local people and institutions, especially in countries facing economic challenges," Salamé cited the success of the Mosul reconstruction as a model example of how global and local partners can work hand in hand, calling it 'a successful model of international-local collaboration in reviving heritage'. He also shared examples from Lebanon, including a youth-led initiative in Beirut to rehabilitate historic quarters after the 2020 port explosion, and community restoration efforts in Tripoli that have helped foster reconciliation. These case studies, he noted, illustrate the power of cultural projects in healing social divisions and rebuilding Al Kaabi and Dr. Salamé underscored that cultural heritage is more than physical structures; it is a source of identity, pride, and continuity for communities. Both sides agreed that safeguarding heritage in conflict zones not only preserves history but also unites people and restores normalcy. The panel concluded with a call for greater international cooperation and commitment to this cause. The speakers urged governments, international agencies and local stakeholders to integrate cultural heritage protection into peacebuilding policies, increase funding for restoration projects, and support grassroots initiatives. They affirmed that these concerted efforts will ensure that heritage sites can endure as symbols of resilience and bridges of peace for future generations.
The National
30-04-2025
- General
- The National
Lebanon can no longer rely on aid to save its heritage, says Culture Minister
Culture and heritage are also often casualties in times of conflict. That was the message delivered by Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame during a conversation at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair with UAE Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi. The former UN envoy spoke of the devastation inflicted on Lebanon's cultural and historical sites by the 2020 Beirut Port explosion, stressing the urgent need for their protection and restoration. 'When the Beirut Port exploded on August 4, 2020, hundreds of heritage buildings collapsed. So there's a clear link between conflict and the need to preserve heritage, because it's the second casualty after people,' he said. 'After the port explosion, we restored around 70 per cent of the heritage buildings. But it's not enough and there are heritage buildings in other places still in ruins. I have a list of more than 60 historic houses in Tripoli that are on the verge of collapse. The Lebanese state currently lacks the capacity to handle this.' Salame said these challenges stem not only from the financial turmoil and political paralysis that have embroiled Lebanon in recent years, but also from a broader lack of international support for such efforts. 'Countries in distress, like Lebanon, can no longer depend on aid the way they used to,' he said. 'We have to be realistic. The golden era of international organisations and generous foreign aid is behind us. 'We must rely more on ourselves – on youth training in heritage conservation, on nurturing local expertise, and on knowledge-sharing, especially among Arab countries.' An example of the kind of regional collaboration needed, Al Kaabi said, is the Revive the Spirit of Mosul initiative launched by Unesco in partnership with the UAE government. Under the initiative, key Iraqi landmarks such as Al Nuri Mosque and Al Tahera Church were restored after being destroyed by ISIS in 2017. She said the aftermath of the reconstruction had a galvanising effect on the city's youth. 'We surveyed 300 people from Mosul to understand their views on the reconstruction. Eighty per cent saw it as positive. Seventy per cent were fully aware of the restoration process,' she said. 'Around the mosque, young Iraqis are organising cultural evenings – poetry, music, book fairs, film festivals. Without this youth involvement, we would only have a building – not life, not continuity.' Al Kaabi described Revive the Spirit of Mosul as a model for restoration – youth-led and with an impact that extends far beyond the rebuilt structure. 'The role of youth is extremely important. At the beginning of the Revive the Spirit of Mosul project, I met several young people from Mosul who now speak better than any researcher when it comes to restoration and reconstruction. 'There's capacity, there's talent – and trust has been built,' she said. 'These young people are not only gaining a skill they can share with others – they are connecting with identity and shared co-existence.' For Salame, the Mosul project is a blueprint for a more self-reliant and active approach to heritage restoration. After several stints at the UN, spanning two decades – including serving as political adviser to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, senior adviser to the UN secretary general and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya – he said the notion of international co-operation is, at best, problematic. 'To be honest, I don't believe something called 'the international community' really exists. I worked at the UN for many years and reached this conclusion in good conscience,' he said. 'When we say 'community', we mean entities that exist, that communicate, and that show solidarity. Do the world's 191 countries have that kind of engagement with one another? The answer is no. That's why I don't use the term any more. 'This is why we must rely on ourselves … on youth training, on local experts, on collaboration between Arab countries. That's where the future of heritage protection lies.' Salame concluded by addressing those who dismiss such initiatives as secondary to more urgent social issues, emphasising their deeper role in shaping national identity. 'Identity is not static, it's malleable. You reconstruct it every morning. You may start life valuing ethnicity, religion, or gender – then life unfolds, and other elements become more important,' he said. 'What we want is to tell youth: 'In rebuilding your identity, don't forget your past or you will lose your future.''
The National
28-04-2025
- The National
Abu Dhabi Culture Summit 2025: UAE's investment is making real-life human impact, says minister
Human values should not be compromised in the wake of the AI revolution, according to UAE Minister of Culture Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi. As part of his keynote address at the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Salem highlighted how the UAE's investments in culture aim to create more inclusive societies. He said the completion of the Revive the Spirit of Mosul initiative – launched by Unesco with funding provided by the UAE – was an example of a cultural project with real-life human impact. The initiative involved the restoration of some of Iraq's most famous religious sites, which were destroyed by ISIS in 2017. 'Through this project, we have restored iconic landmarks such as the church and the mosque,' he said. 'Not only has this initiative reconnected the people of Mosul with their multicultural heritage, it has also created sustainable community spaces, job opportunities, and strengthened local capacity. We ensure that these projects go beyond physical reconstruction by restoring hope while building a foundation for the future.' Sheikh Salem also affirmed the importance of the recently announced policy for the preservation of modern architectural heritage. Formally launched last month by the ministry, some of the initial measures involve protecting the UAE's modern architectural buildings and cataloguing landmarks of significant cultural importance in terms of heritage and national identity. 'In bridging the past and the present, we must embrace both historical landmarks and modern heritage,' he said. 'At the same time, the UAE is advancing strategies to preserve modern architectural heritage through collaboration with academic institutions and the private sector.' As for the role of AI in the cultural space, whether through practice or policy, Sheikh Salem stated it is an important tool for preserving and protecting culture and creative rights, as well as sparking inspiration in the digital landscape. 'The UAE's AI strategy stands as a blueprint for integrating artificial intelligence into various sectors, including culture, where the protection of creatives is always a priority,' he said. 'We have taken steps to strengthen the copyright regulatory ecosystem in the country and continue to advocate for greater support for intellectual property and cultural rights worldwide.' Also addressing delegates was Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, Unesco's assistant director-general for culture, who urged counterparts to ensure culture is enshrined in the organisation's future global development policies. His comments respond to Unesco's Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by UN member states in 2015 and running until 2030, which omit culture as a stand-alone goal – a continued point of controversy among cultural advocates. 'If we don't put culture at the centre of sustainable development for whatever agenda will be built in the future beyond 2030, we are going to miss the greatest opportunity to speak about how culture can help to build peace in this crazy world that we're living in,' Ramirez said. He added that with artificial intelligence playing a monumental role in society in the years to come, the cultural and creative industries will have an important role in articulating the benefits and challenges they represent. 'Technology clearly can build the new future of some institutions,' he said. 'But we cannot build technology without ensuring that it's made for communities, livelihoods, well-being, and for the construction of the next generation.' Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said a unified approach by the cultural sector will ensure AI remains a tool for creative advancements. 'I do not see AI as a negative. I'm obviously very optimistic. I see it as a massive positive,' he said. 'But the only way it continues to be positive is if there is a unified view on how we're going to be using this tool … [and how we] create opportunities for creators to flourish.'
The Guardian
02-03-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘We cleared rubble with our bare hands': Iraqis rejoice as shattered Mosul rises from the ruins
In the small courtyard of Sara's grandmother's house, children are running and playing as if time had never passed. 'The house kept our memories,' Sara says, sitting on the sofa of the courtyard. 'It seems like we never left. On the contrary, when we came back, we felt we belonged to this house.' Located in the old Iraqi city of Mosul, right behind the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, their home is part of the local cultural heritage. It was heavily damaged during the occupation by Islamic State (IS) and the battle to reclaim the city by Iraqi armed forces, backed by US coalition airstrikes. Sara and her family were forcibly displaced during the fighting in 2017 and for many years feared they would never see their home intact again. 'It was amazing when we could step in,' Sara says. 'The neighbourhood has changed a lot, but it's still very beautiful and we're optimistic that more and more neighbours will resettle in their home town.' Most of these old houses have been restored, thanks to a Unesco-led project called Revive the Spirit of Mosul, which includes the renovation of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri and other sites. 'Most of our family members are employed here in the reconstruction of the city,' Sara says. 'Life is still precarious, but we hope that 10 years after Daesh [IS] occupied our beloved city, it will only improve.' The mosque's leaning minaret, named Al-Habda or the hunchback, has been restored under Unesco's supervision and reopened last month. Built in 1172, it is 45m tall and decorated with ornamental brickwork along its cylindrical shaft and square base. The self-proclaimed caliph of the IS, Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi, inaugurated the 'caliphate' from the pulpit inside the mosque in 2014. The renovation of the Great Mosque will be completed during Ramadan, which began on Friday, and 11 years after IS made Mosul its capital. The prayer hall will already be open for Ramadan prayers – for the first time since IS's defeat. 'The citizens of Mosul are very happy. The last finishing touches need to be completed, but we can open the mosque for Ramadan prayers,' says engineer Omar Taqa, responsible of the restoration project under Unesco. 'We are proud to have worked on this project, which is the largest Unesco project in the world, with $50m implemented. For the official opening and inauguration of the Great Mosque, arrangements are being made to hold a ceremony with the Iraqi prime minister.' Last June, during their work, five large IS bombs were found hidden in the site, which postponedefforts for some days. Huda, who lives next to the mosque, is originally from Baghdad and moved to Mosul with her husband after being displaced in a Christian neighbourhood in Erbil. 'I'm a Christian, the only one living in the old houses for now,' she says. 'Before the Daesh occupation, many more Christians were inhabiting the old city. I have two children and my husband is working on the al-Nuri mosque renovation. I feel at home here.' Father Raed, a local priest, told the Observer that, even though the large majority of Christians haven't resettled in Mosul, they come to the city daily from Erbil or nearby Christian-majority cities such as Qaraqosh for employment or to attend the church. Yamama Saleh, a civil engineer employed by the UN agency, has also been involved in the reconstruction of the mosque. 'It's the landmark of Mosul. I used to see the minaret from my rooftop, so when it got destroyed, it was really sad. But after being involved in the rebuilding of the shaft, it has another meaning for me. Now we're done, I will go back to the rooftop to take a picture from there.' Her colleague, Mustafa al-Zeewany, supervisor of the minaret works, is standing on top of the minaret. 'The minaret is iconic,' he says. 'All our workers here are feeling proud. We felt devastated when the minaret was blown up by IS in June 2017, and now we have the abilities and capabilities to redo it, using international and new techniques.' Al-Zeewany explains that new techniques were implemented because they allowed work to be done in a similar way to the time of the construction of the mosque and minaret in the 12th century. 'It's a great experience for all of us to know how our ancestors worked, especially in this kind of construction.' The colourful neighbourhood in front of the old houses and the Great Mosque is called al-Manqusha. It's where young people gather because of the cultural associations and cafes in the area. Saker Ma'an, founder of Baytuna ('Our house') association, based in an old, imposing two-storey house, says: 'In 2017, after the battle against Daesh, being here felt like living in the desert. We cleaned the neighbourhood of the rubble with our bare hands, we found corpses and unexploded bombs, then we finally managed to restore this traditional house and make it a cafe and office for our activities.' Ma'an recalls that some locals told him 'you will not last'. In the beginning, the cafe hosted no more than two people a week. 'We now have dozens coming every day,' he says. 'Especially the new generation: they came back to a destroyed city, not having any sense of belonging to the old city. But our association is working together with youth, to make them aware of their cultural heritage. Mosul really needed this place.' Ma'an remarks that the new generation doesn't know the archaeological sites of the Nineveh province of Mosul, such as the old Assyrian city of Nimrod, 30km south of Mosul, badly damaged by the terrorist group, like many others. Layla Salih, an archaeologist responsible for the Bashiqa district and head of the reconstruction team of Al-Tahera church (Upper Monastery) project, is an expert on the archaeological sites of Nineveh, the Mosul province. 'Many projects initiated after the liberation of the city were distributed between reconstruction, rescue or excavation work, and there are projects of documentation, archaeological and heritage survey, as well as the restoration of archaeological objects,' she says. Salih has become very well-known in the city after her discovery back in 2017 of a new archaeological site, the Assyrian Essarhadon's Palace, in a tunnel under the al-Nabi Yunes shrine, dug by IS militants who were searching for antiquities to plunder and sell. 'I expect that the renovation of Mosul will continue for years … and it is remarkable that the international community is so interested in the city for its ethnic, religious and cultural diversity.' When IS was first driven out of Nineveh province in November 2016, Salih and a colleague, Faisal Jaber, reported on the destruction of Christian sites in the province. 'We hope for more cultural projects that contribute to building peace, promoting stability and coexistence.'
Emirates 24/7
13-02-2025
- General
- Emirates 24/7
WGS: UNESCO showcases power of multilateralism in restoring cultural heritage
The power of culture to revive cities in crisis was at the forefront of discussions at the World Governments Summit 2025, being held in Dubai under the theme 'Shaping Future Governments'. During a session titled 'Can Culture Revive a City in Crises?', Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the successful revival of Mosul's cultural heritage, a landmark UNESCO initiative spearheaded by the UAE, and its role as a blueprint for global restoration efforts. One of UNESCO's most ambitious projects, the Revive the Spirit of Mosul initiative, was presented as a testament to what multilateralism can achieve. The UAE played a leading role as the first and primary sponsor, committing significant resources to restore Mosul's historical landmarks, including Al-Nouri Mosque, Al Tahera Church (1859), and Al-Saa'a Church (1870). 'The UAE has long recognised that culture is a pillar of identity and a force for unity,' said Al Qassimi. 'Through projects like Mosul's restoration, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving heritage – not just as buildings, but as symbols of resilience and shared history.' Beyond reconstruction, the initiative prioritised training local communities to take ownership of their heritage. Originally set to train 1,500 Iraqis in Mosul, the program surpassed expectations, empowering over 3,000 individuals with skills in restoration and conservation. More than 100 professionals have been equipped with specialised expertise, ensuring the community itself sustains the restoration work for generations to come. Azoulay emphasised the importance of this approach, 'We followed what the people of Mosul wanted because this is their legacy. Using traditional materials and techniques, we ensured authenticity while investing in people. This is how we rebuild not just cities, but identities.' The UAE's dedication to cultural preservation extends beyond Mosul. Since 2002, the country has funded restoration projects worldwide, including two mosques and a church in Jerusalem, multiple initiatives in Africa, alongside numerous ongoing efforts across the globe. Each project is centred around people, history, and capacity building – ensuring long-term impact. 'The UAE's efforts in Mosul sparked a ripple effect,' noted Al Qassimi. 'Once we committed, the EU and 13 other nations followed. This is the essence of multilateralism – turning shared responsibility into action.' As the world enters an era of rapid technological advancement, the challenge remains: How to ensure the younger generations value and protect cultural heritage? Al Qassimi highlighted the role of technology in cultural preservation, 'Capacity building is key, but we must also integrate emerging tools like AI. During the restoration of Al-Nouri Mosque, we uncovered previously unknown ablution rooms. Imagine what AI and digital reconstruction could do for future archaeologists and architects.' In an era of geopolitical uncertainty, the success of the Mosul project reaffirms the relevance of institutions like UNESCO. 'With 194 member states, UNESCO has the credibility to mobilise nations for cultural preservation,' said Azoulay. 'The UAE's leadership in Mosul stands as a powerful example of what is possible when countries unite for the benefit of humanity.' Al Qassimi concluded with a resounding endorsement of global cooperation, 'We live in polarised times, yet I remain hopeful. The Mosul initiative proves that when nations commit to action, multilateralism thrives.' As the UAE continues to champion cultural heritage restoration worldwide, its commitment to preserving history serves as a beacon of hope for future generations. This year's summit convened over 30 heads of state and government, more than 80 international and regional organisations and 140 government delegations. Its agenda featured 21 global forums exploring major future trends and transformations, over 200 interactive sessions with more than 300 prominent speakers – including presidents, ministers, experts, thought leaders, and decision-makers – and over 30 ministerial meetings and roundtables attended by more than 400 ministers. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
