EN 
NL 
Source: Anadolu Agency, Getty Images
In 2014, the northern Iraqi city of Mosul fell into the hands of terror group Islamic State (IS). What followed was a period of extreme repression, destruction and violence. IS destroyed religious and cultural heritage, killed thousands of residents and drove entire communities to flee. Mosul was liberated in 2017, but the effects of the occupation are still being felt today. The reconstruction is complex: not only buildings and infrastructure need to be restored, but also the city's trust, social fabric and cultural identity.
In this interview, historian Omar Mohammed, founder of Mosul Eye, discusses his role in the city's reconstruction - physically, socially and culturally. How do you rebuild a society after so much destruction?
From anonymous blogger to voice of Mosul
When Mosul fell into the hands of IS in 2014, the city became a symbol of destruction and oppression. The vast majority of the historic city centre - 80 percent - was destroyed during the period that IS occupied the city. But amid the violence and chaos, a voice of resistance and documentation emerged: Mosul Eye. Founded by historian Omar Mohammed, it began as an anonymous blog through which he recorded the atrocities of IS and informed the world.
Omar Mohammed was born during a complex period in the war between Iraq and Iran. He grew up in Mosul, a city with a rich history dating back more than 2,500 years, where different cultures and communities lived together for centuries. He developed a particular fascination for the social history of Mosul and obtained his PhD in this. It was this history that he sought to protect with the founding of Mosul Eye . 'During the IS occupation of Mosul, I felt a responsibility to ensure that the city could tell its own story, not just the narrative of IS,' says Mohammed. Despite the life-threatening situation, he chose to record the events in his city and preserve its history. 'The mission was bigger than my own safety,' he states.
How dangerous the situation was for Mohammed is evident from the extreme measures he had to take to avoid being noticed. He adapted his appearance and behaviour to the standards of the IS fighters and was even present at executions to witness the horrific events. This enabled him to find out who the victims were and what they were accused of. His commitment to recording this information shows how much risk he took to document the truth about Mosul.
After the liberation of Mosul in 2017, Mohammed made the transition from documenting to actively contributing to the reconstruction of the city. 'The question became: how can we restore Mosul, not only physically, but also socially and culturally?'
Physical recovery versus social reconstruction
Since the liberation, much of the focus has been on physical reconstruction. UNESCO and other international organisations have rebuilt monumental buildings such as Al-Nuri Mosque and Al-Hadba-Minaret, and repaired houses and infrastructure. Recognising the importance of this, Mohammed stressed that rehabilitation is more than bricks and mortar.
The rebuilt Al-Hadba Mininet
Source: Khalid Al-Mousily, Reuters
'The physical wounds of Mosul are healing,' he says, 'but more attention must now be paid to the human dimension of the city. How we think about each other, how we live together.' The city has always had a diversity of communities and religions, but Mohammed says coexistence between those communities needs to be actively promoted. He stresses the importance of reflecting on our identity and enjoying life, focusing on literature, music and film.
One of the initiatives he has launched is Green Mosul, a project focusing on reforestation and urban greening. Between 2022 and 2023, thousands of trees were planted in and around Mosul, not only to improve the climate and environment, but also to bring communities together. 'A tree has no religion or language. It only knows how to give something back, like oxygen. This is how we should think as a society: what can we contribute to each other?' Green Mosul, supported by local universities and governments, continues to plant trees annually with residents of all backgrounds working together. The project symbolises not only ecological recovery, but also the possibility of social renewal in a city that has been in the shadow of conflict for years. According to Omar Mohammed, social and physical reconstruction must go hand in hand for Mosul to truly recover.
Lessons for the future
With Mosul a decade removed from IS occupation, Mohammed says it is time to reflect. 'What have we learnt? What approaches have worked and what should be different?' He sees parallels with other war-affected cities, such as Aleppo in Syria. 'Mosul can serve as a model for how reconstruction can be tackled, but then we need to honestly evaluate what has and has not been effective.' Indeed, one of his concerns is how rebuilt religious sites are used. 'What does it mean if we restore a church but hardly any Christians have returned to Mosul? Do we risk inadvertently turning our religious sites into museums instead of active communities?' He argues for more focus on social cohesion and security to encourage return of diverse communities.
The reconstruction of Mosul is largely dependent on international funds. Mohammed stresses that this support remains necessary, but the effectiveness of international aid must also be critically examined. 'We need to evaluate how the world responded to the crisis. Was the transition from emergency aid to structural reconstruction effective?' He also points to the impact of recent geopolitical changes, such as the US cuts to USAID, one of the largest funders of reconstruction projects in Mosul. 'USAID offered flexibility and support for innovative projects, especially targeting youth and community initiatives. With the current cuts, it is creating a gap that is difficult to fill.'
Is there hope?
Mohammed remains cautious, saying: 'I have hope, but there is little room for optimism.' The political landscape is changing rapidly, support may wane and major challenges remain. Mohammed also says he must always be vigilant 'to make sure we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.' But he does have hope for the new generation of young people, who today have easy access to information and new ideas. He also sees the renewed connection between Mosul and Aleppo as an opportunity for cooperation. 'Mosul has historically had good ties with Aleppo. Trade, culture, exchange - these are things that can grow again. But it requires a long-term vision.'
The struggle to restore Mosul is far from over. But thanks to people like Omar Mohammed, the city remains not only a place of memory of destruction, but also a symbol of resilience.
