MOSUL, Iraq (AP) — Iraqi religious leaders have laid the cornerstone to rebuild Mosul's landmark al-Nuri Grand Mosque, which was blown up in the battle with Islamic State militants in 2017.
The mosque and its iconic leaning minaret were built in the 12th century. It was from the mosque's pulpit that IS's self-styled caliph, Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi, declared the caliphate's establishment in 2014.
Iraqi forces defeated the extremist group in the last of its urban strongholds last year, recapturing Mosul in a fierce battle that saw the al-Nuri mosque destroyed.
Dignitaries from the E.U. and the U.N. attended the ceremony in the mosque's courtyard, where Abdulateef al-Humayim, head of Iraq's Sunni endowments, led the proceedings on Sunday.
The UAE donated $50.4 million to rebuild the mosque. Construction is expected to take five years.
