Iraqi Forces Battle Towards Key Mosque
As government forces moved closer to the front lines in Mosul in north Iraq, they edged the Great Mosque of al-Nuri. Troops now have a clear view of the mosque's bent brick minaret with the jihadist group's black flag on its tip becoming a symbolic target.
Recapturing al-Nuri mosque is crucial as it holds great significance in the battle against the terror group, being the site where Islamic State (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a caliphate three years ago. It was built in 1172 by Nur al-Din Mahmoud Zangi, from which it was named after.
The compound has undergone several renovations throughout the century and the remaining medieval parts are the leaning minaret, some columns and the mihrab. The minaret, Mosul's most famous landmark, earned the nickname "al-Hadba" or "the humpback" because of its leaning condition.
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Legend has it that the structure bowed to Muhammad as he ascended to heaven even if the prophet died centuries before it was built. Experts say the sun's effect on the bricks on the southern side, the northeasterly winds and shoddy construction caused the structure to tilt. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has warned that the minaret is at risk of collapse.
On June 12, 2014, ISIS launched a surprise attack on the mosque and killed its imam, Mohammed al-Mansouri. It appointed Baghdadi as Caliph Ibrahim and demanded allegiance from Muslims worldwide. On July 4, Baghdadi delivered a Friday sermon from the pulpit, saying he had reluctantly accepted the title of "commander of the faithful."
"God, the Great and Almighty, has bestowed upon your mujahideen brothers the grace of victory and conquest, and has enabled them to do that after long years of waging jihad, showing patience and fierce fighting against the enemies of God," he said. "They have hurried to declare the caliphate and empower an imam. This is the duty imposed on the Muslims."
