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UAE Will Soon Restore a Church in Mosul with Unesco’s Support

Dubai Ministry of Culture, Revive the Spirit of Mosul, UAE, UNESCO, Al Saa’a Church, Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour

Rehabilitation of the iconic Al-Saa’a Chuch will soon begin as part of the “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative supported by the UAE. Photo: Twitter/ @NouraAlKaabi

Two years after the UAE pledged to support Unesco in the restoration of various cultural and religious sites across the Iraqi city of Mosul, official work will soon begin on the rehabilitation of the iconic Al-Saa’a Church as part of the “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative launched in 2018.

Otherwise known as The Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour, the Al-Saa’a Church found in the heart of the Old City of Mosul is a symbol of unity and tolerance in an area torn apart by religious violence. Belonging to the Dominican Order whose priests built the historic landmark in the late 19th century, the church used to be a school that welcomed Moslawis regardless of their faith before it was damaged by ISIL in 2017. However, its renovation process is planned to commence shortly after receiving the appropriate approvals last week.

“Following the Joint Steering Committee last week and with official approval from Dominican Order, UAE and UNESCO will start the restoration of The Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour in Mosul,” shared Minister of Culture & Knowledge Development HE Noura bint Mohamed Al Kaabi on Friday. Although a dated timeline is yet to be released, the project will follow four phases of surveys, design, construction, and training for local craftsmen to help maintain the architectural integrity and historical significance of the church’s heritage.

Noura AlKaabi, Dubai Ministry of Culture, Revive the Spirit of Mosul, UAE, UNESCO, Al Saa’a Church, Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour

The UAE pledged to invest more than 183 million AED in rebuilding Mosul in April 2018 and HE Noura Al Kaabi reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment this past October. Photo: Instagram/@nak

The UAE first began this momentous partnership with Unesco to help rebuild Mosul back in April 2018 when the UAE pledged to invest more than 183 million AED to contribute to the reconstruction of the Al-Nouri Mosque and Al-Hadba Minaret. In October 2019, Al Kaabi signed an agreement with Unesco to reemphasize the UAE’s commitment to this program as well as add the Al-Saa’a and Al-Tahera churches to the list of projects the Emirates will assist in undertaking with cooperation from the Iraqi government.

Similar to the UAE, Mosul—meaning “linking point” in Arabic—is home to a community steeped in religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. The “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative aims to not only raise the ancient city from the rubble to its original grandeur but also empower its people to continue fostering inclusivity and coexistence amongst all backgrounds.

“Reconstruction will succeed and Iraq will regain its influence only if the human dimension is given priority; education and culture are the key elements,” Director-General of Unesco Audrey Azoulay previously said. “They are forces of unity and reconciliation. It is through education and culture that Iraqis, men, and women alike, will be able to regain control of their destiny and become actors in the renewal of their country.”

Dubai Ministry of Culture, Revive the Spirit of Mosul, UAE, UNESCO, Al Saa’a Church, Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour

Otherwise known as The Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour, the Al-Saa’a Church found in the heart of the Old City of Mosul is a symbol of unity and tolerance in an area torn apart by religious violence. Photo: Twitter/ @NouraAlKaabi

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