Municipality denies granting planning permission
Protest erupts in Baghdad over planned demolition of Omar Al-Mukhtar Mosque
BAGHDAD — Residents, community leaders, and lawmakers in the Yarmouk area of western Baghdad protested Friday against a reported plan to demolish the Omar Al-Mukhtar Mosque and allocate part of its land for a neighboring investment project. The protesters called on the Sunni Endowment Office to halt the decision, stressing the mosque’s importance to the community. Built in 2000, the mosque also served as a shelter for internally displaced people during the 2014 Islamic State terror rule.
Aday Al-Ghariri, the mosque’s former imam and preacher, asserted that the mosque is structurally sound and does not require reconstruction. “The mosque’s walls, roof, lighting, and faucets are all functioning properly. The mosque is in good condition and can accommodate four times the number of current worshippers,” Al-Ghariri told 964media.
Al-Ghariri further alleged that a representative from an investment company recently notified them of plans to annex 2,000 square meters of the mosque’s land without clear justification. “A surveyor from Al-Naji Company came two days ago and stated that 2,000 square meters of the mosque should be included in an investment project,” he said.
In response, Baghdad Mayor Ammar Musa denied any municipal involvement in the decision to demolish the mosque or approve investment projects nearby. “As the Mayor of Baghdad, I affirm that no planning approvals have been granted for this site except for the mosque,” Musa said in a phone call with the protesters. “If the Sunni Endowment wants to renovate, it is their responsibility, but we, as the Municipality of Baghdad, do not permit any activities on this land other than the mosque.”
Hussein Arab, a member of the Iraqi parliament, announced plans to request an official inquiry from the Sunni Endowment Office to clarify the situation. “We will investigate with an official letter to the Sunni Endowment Office, considering there has been considerable controversy over the mosque’s demolition and reconstruction,” Arab stated. He added that they would also communicate with other municipal offices and Baghdad authorities as part of their legislative and supervisory duties.
Ahmed Ibrahim, a local community leader in Yarmouk, expressed frustration over the demolition plan, suggesting that any proposed funds be directed toward more critical community needs, such as hospitals or schools. “The mosque needs minor repairs, not demolition and reconstruction. It would be better to use the 12 billion dinars reportedly allocated for the mosque to build a hospital or expand schools,” Ibrahim said.
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