Mosul’s Social Fabric under Attack

This thesis focuses on the following questions: Who is responsible for the destruction of Mosul’s cultural heritage and its social fabric in 2014 and the years that followed? Does the history of Mosul, in terms of politics, economics, society and geography, hold the key to understanding the destruction and subsequent developments? How to approach the destruction? And could the revival and reconstruction of cultural heritage unite a multicultural society of the Nineveh Governorate and achieve justice, peace and coexistence among the different components of society? The first two chapters provide a detailed historical overview of Mosul from 612 BCE to 2014. They highlight the city's strategic location at the crossroads of various empires and cultures. This geographic significance has made Mosul a diverse, multi-religious, and politically contested city. Shaped by civilizations such as the Assyrians, Arabs, and Ottomans, Mosul's long history has left a rich cultural and architectural legacy. Chapter 2 discusses the history of Mosul from the nineteenth century to its fall under the control of ISIS. The political history of Mosul, spanning from the Ottoman Empire to the rise of the Islamic State, showcases consistent strategies of control, albeit through different methods. Geopolitically, Mosul serves as a gateway to Iraq and a buffer zone between Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria, with significant economic resources like oil, sulfur, and agricultural produce. The city’s social structure is highly diverse, with various ethnic and religious groups coexisting for centuries. Chapter 3 focuses on the impact of the 2014 ISIS occupation on Mosul’s cultural and social structures. Since 2003, Mosul has been a battleground for political and religious disputes, as well as a territorial dispute between Baghdad and Erbil. These tensions have led to violence, displacement, and the weakening of social cohesion. The rise of ISIS exacerbated these problems, as the group exploited existing divisions, destroyed Mosul's multicultural identity, and targeted its cultural heritage. Its actions sought to isolate the city from its diverse past and reshape the political dynamics of the Nineveh Governorate. Despite these hardships, personal memories and experiences of Mosul's cultural richness remain deeply rooted and serve as a testament to its historical and social significance. Chapter 4 explores the context in order to find answers to the overarching research questions, through a discussion of differences between restauration and reconstruction, the role of UNESCO in the reconstruction and issues related to tangible and intangible heritages. Mosul's reconstruction must balance preservation and reconstruction, avoiding pseudo-antiquity while respecting historical integrity. Lessons from Warsaw, Dresden, and the restoration theories of Viollet-le-Duc, Ruskin, and the Venice Charter guide the process, ensuring authenticity and sustainable urban development. The cultural and emotional significance of Mosul's landmarks, such as the Hunchback Minaret and the Church of the Clock, underscores the need for a careful approach that respects the city's multicultural heritage. Reconstruction should integrate heritage preservation with education and cultural activities to promote social cohesion and reconciliation. Physical and virtual restoration must each contribute to heritage awareness. Virtual museums, commemorative plaques, and academic initiatives can preserve authenticity while embracing modernity. This comprehensive approach ensures that cultural heritage remains visible, supporting long-term recovery and resilience. Finally, the conclusions answer the overarching questions with respect to the destruction of Mosul and the meaning of reviving both tangible and intangible heritage. This is a plea for the reconstruction of cultural heritage that goes beyond mere physical restoration and instead embodies a profound ontological endeavor aimed at reconstituting the epistemic foundations upon which societal cohesion, collective identity, and historical continuity rest.