Mosul walking club blends exercise and heritage in tour through old quarter

MOSUL — A new walking club in Mosul launched its first public event with a heritage-themed tour through the city’s historic old quarter, drawing 70 participants between the ages of 12 and 24.

The group, called Mosul Walkers, began its guided walk at Bayt Turath Mosul (Mosul Heritage House) and passed major landmarks including Al-Masfi Mosque, the Nabi Jarjees Mosque, the leaning Hadba Minaret, and the reconstructed Al-Nuri Mosque. Founded three months ago, the club is the first of its kind in Nineveh governorate and aims to promote walking as both a healthy activity and a way for young people to reconnect with their city’s history.

“Our goal is to encourage youth to exercise and spend less time sitting at home on phones and social media,” said Ibrahim Mohammed, founder of Mosul Walkers. “So we started the club three months ago, planned our activities, and began recruiting members.”

“We chose to begin our first step from Mosul Heritage House, and we’ll continue holding events once or twice a month,” he added. “Walking is the simplest form of exercise — anyone can do it, and it’s very good for mental health. Each event will have a different theme, and we’ll invite a special guest every time.”

The idea originated from a youth development initiative and quickly gained traction through social media. The group now has 71 members.

Shaimaa Mushtaq, a co-founder of the club, said the first event offered a unique opportunity to explore the city’s historic streets on foot.

“Our team walked today through the alleys of the old city. We started from Al-Masfi Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Mosul, passed by Nabi Jarjees, and ended at the Hadba Minaret,” she said. “All our activities are tied to Mosul’s heritage and aim to promote it. We had both girls and boys participating, and we didn’t expect this turnout — especially since the idea is entirely new in Nineveh.”

“We expected rejection, but the opposite happened. The participants were between 12 and 24 years old,” she added.

Anas Mohammed, one of the club’s members, said he joined after hearing about the group from a friend. “The tour was enjoyable and beneficial for both physical and mental health,” he said. “It was a positive step. We talked about the old city and learned a lot of things we didn’t know before.”

Twelve-year-old Jannah Ahmed, the youngest participant, said her pride in Mosul’s heritage motivated her to join. “I’m 12 and I love walking, which is what encouraged me to join. Also, Mosul Heritage House was one of the reasons because I’m proud of Mosul’s heritage,” she said. “I enjoyed every step and every place we visited. I discovered new spots and the team members were very kind.”