Call for preservation

The Minaret of Daquq: an 800-year-old landmark in Kirkuk at risk of collapse

KIRKUK — The Minaret of Daquq, located in the city of Daquq in Kirkuk Governorate, is one of the area’s most prominent historical and religious landmarks, dating back more than 800 years. Historians regard it as a key example of the region’s rich architectural heritage.

Typically attached to mosques, minarets serve as tall, slender towers from which calls to prayer are made. The word “minaret” derives from the Arabic “manāra,” meaning “lighthouse.”

“The Minaret of Daquq was built by Sultan Muzaffar Al-Din, and its history dates back to the year 1221, making it more than 800 years old,” said Hassan Ali, a local historian and archaeologist, in an interview with 964media.

Ali noted that in the past, locals used the minaret not only for prayers and Quran recitations but also as a landmark to guide travelers.

Today, however, the top of the minaret is deteriorating and at risk of collapse.

“We have repeatedly called on the Department of Antiquities to restore this historical site,” Ali said, “but so far, no restoration efforts have been undertaken.”

The structure is divided into six sections: one below ground and five above, reaching a height of about 23 meters. Inside, a blend of spiral and cylindrical designs is supported by sturdy columns.

Iraq is home to four other historical minarets with similar architectural styles: Sinjar Minaret, the Mudhafaria Minaret in Erbil, the Hadba Minaret in Mosul, and the Al-Khulafa Mosque Minaret in Baghdad.

A comparable structure, the iconic Al-Hadba Minaret in Mosul, was heavily damaged during liberation operations in 2017 but was fully restored last December. A handcrafted crescent was recently placed atop Al-Hadba, adding two meters to its 50-meter height and marking a milestone in the city’s cultural revival.