- UAE becomes first country in the world to reconstruct Christian churches in 
Iraq 

The UAE and UNESCO renewed their collaboration to the flagship initiative 
Revive the Spirit of Mosul, extending the partnership on restoration efforts in 
Mosul, Iraq. 

In the presence of HE Abdulrahman Hamid al-Husseini, Iraq's Ambassador to 
France; HE Dr. Mohamed Ali Al Hakim, Under Secretary General and Executive 
Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia 
(ESCWA); Brother Nicolas Tixier, Prior Provincial of the Province of France of 
the Dominican Order; and Brother Olivier Poquillon, General Secretary of the 
Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the EU; HE Noura Al Kaabi, UAE 
Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; and Audrey Azoulay, Director 
General of UNESCO signed a new agreement at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, 
reiterating the restoration efforts with the inclusion of two destroyed 
cultural sites; the Al-Tahera and the Al-Saa'a Churches. 

This agreement arises in line with the UAE championing 2019 as the Year of 
Tolerance, emphasising tolerance as a universal concept and a sustainable 
institutional endeavour. 

The project is an extension of the agreement signed in April 2018 whereby the 
Emirates committed $50.4 million to the rebuilding of the cultural sites in 
Mosul. The project initially concerned the reconstruction of Al-Nouri Mosque 
and Al-Hadba Minaret. 

The renewed efforts will include the construction of a museum and memorial site 
which will exhibit and preserve remnants of the sites with community and 
educational spaces, as well creating jobs for over 1,000 Moslawis. The new 
buildings will support the development of sustainable skills for those employed 
by the project, and the contribution to the local economy through cultural 
tourism for Iraq. To date, the project has employed 27 Iraqis and contracted 4 
Iraqi companies, with efforts to further bolster this growth as the project 
progresses. The UAE has also engaged with local Iraqis to receive feedback 
about their perspective on the restoration project. 

Speaking at the signing, HE Noura Al Kaabi remarked: "We are honoured to sign 
this partnership with UNESCO and Iraq. Our work with UNESCO is testament to 
UAE's commitment to furthering the organisation's mandate. Today's signing is a 
pioneering partnership that sends a message of light, in seemingly darker 
times. As we break ground in the reconstruction, UAE becomes the first country 
in the world to rebuild Christian churches in Iraq." 

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1010007/UAE_UNESCO_Partnership.jpg 

Source: UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge