Mosul Rebuilds from the Ashes as Residents Restore Their City

Years after the devastation of war, the people of Mosul are reclaiming their city, restoring homes, landmarks, and cultural heritage with their own hands.

In the courtyard of her grandmother’s house, Sara watches children playing, as if the years of conflict had never happened. “It feels like we never left,” she says. Her home, once heavily damaged during the fight to reclaim Mosul from ISIS in 2017, has now been restored as part of the city’s broader recovery efforts.

A City Rising Again

The restoration of Mosul’s historic sites, including the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, is part of UNESCO’s Revive the Spirit of Mosul project. The mosque’s leaning minaret, Al-Habda, destroyed by ISIS in 2017, has been rebuilt and was reopened last month. Engineer Omar Taqa, overseeing the project, confirmed the prayer hall will be available for use during Ramadan—the first prayers there since ISIS was defeated.

“This is the largest UNESCO project in the world, with $50 million invested,” Taqa said, adding that an official ceremony with the Iraqi prime minister is being planned for the mosque’s full reopening.

Rebuilding Lives and Communities

Mosul’s revival isn’t just about restoring historic buildings; it’s about rebuilding communities. Christian residents, once displaced by the conflict, are cautiously returning. “I’m the only Christian living in these old houses for now,” says Huda, who moved back with her husband and children. “But many others come daily for work or to attend church.”

Archaeologist Layla Salih has played a key role in preserving Mosul’s heritage. In 2017, she uncovered the Assyrian Essarhadon’s Palace beneath the destroyed al-Nabi Yunes shrine, revealing treasures that ISIS had tried to loot. “The international interest in Mosul’s diverse culture is remarkable,” she says.

A New Generation Finds Hope

Cultural centers like Baytuna (“Our House”) have become symbols of resilience. Founded by Saker Ma’an, the center was built from the rubble of the war. “In 2017, this neighborhood was like a desert. We cleared the rubble with our bare hands,” Ma’an recalls. “At first, people said we wouldn’t last. Now, young people gather here every day.”

Mosul still faces challenges, but the determination of its people is stronger than ever. As homes, mosques, and historical sites are restored, a new sense of hope is taking root in a city that refuses to be defined by its past.