Restoration of Mosul’s historic Rabia Mosque nears completion

MOSUL — Restoration work on the historic Rabia Mosque, one of Mosul’s most treasured heritage landmarks, has reached 40% completion and is on track to be finalized by April.

Built in 1766 by Rabia Khatun, the daughter of Ismail Pasha Al-Jalili, the mosque suffered significant damage during the liberation of Mosul from ISIS in 2017. Reconstruction began in February 2022 as part of a collaborative effort between Iraqi, French, and Italian partners, focusing on the preservation of ancient inscriptions, including Quranic verses, poems, and intricate carvings that demand meticulous care.

Ismail Pasha al-Jalili was a prominent figure in Mosul’s history, serving as the city’s wali under Ottoman rule. He was appointed in 1726, marking the beginning of the al-Jalili family’s governance over Mosul, which lasted until 1834.

The mosque is known for its five-meter-deep water well, historically used for ablution and as a vital water source during Nader Shah’s siege of Mosul under the Jalili family rule. It also features a spacious prayer hall, three rooms for the imam, and a four-room religious school.

In 1743, Nader Shah of Persia launched a campaign against the Ottoman Empire, aiming to expand his dominion from the Indus to the Bosphorus. His forces captured Kirkuk and Erbil before laying siege to Mosul on Sept. 14, 1743.

“The mosque boasts unique architectural elements, including the original stone mihrab, intricate floral and geometric decorations on the qibla wall, and Quranic inscriptions adorning the dome’s interior,” said Musab Mohammed, the archaeological supervisor, speaking to 964media. “We have carefully restored these details and worked on preserving the ancient plaques bearing historic writings.”

He added that restoration efforts include repairing the mosque’s external façade and reconstructing the imam’s chambers using traditional materials such as gypsum and stone. “We have carefully sorted the original stones for reuse and replaced damaged or missing pieces with locally sourced, matching stones,” Mohammed explained. “The prayer hall is being plastered with gypsum, and the dome will be clad in traditional bricks identical to those used in the famous Al-Hadba Minaret.”

Ibrahim Yaareb, the resident engineer overseeing the project, noted that Italian non-profit Archi. Media Trust Onlus is leading the restoration in collaboration with the Nineveh Antiquities Inspectorate, with funding provided by the France’s ALIPH Foundation. The team consists of Iraqi and Italian engineers and over 20 skilled local workers from Mosul.

“Work initially began in February 2022 but faced delays due to financial and technical challenges. It resumed in October 2023,” Yaareb told 964media.

Engineering work includes reinforcing the dome and walls with supporting foundations, reconstructing the prayer hall, imam’s chambers, and religious school, and repairing the ablution facilities. During the process, workers discovered 15 unexploded rockets and small explosive devices embedded in the mosque’s walls, as well as the remains of several civilians who were buried there during the conflict.

In addition to the restoration of the Rabia Mosque, significant efforts are underway to reconstruct the historic Great Mosque of Al-Nuri in Mosul. Destroyed in 2017 during the conflict with ISIS, the mosque is renowned for its iconic leaning minaret, Al-Hadba.