Old Mosul between reconstruction projects and the requirements of preserving cultural identity
As a part of the series of activities held by the Mosul Center for Culture and Science, the scientific section of the Center held a seminar discussion entitled "Old Mosul between reconstruction projects and the requirements of preserving cultural identity " in the center hall at 4:00 pm on Saturday, 18/29/2019 (1440 AH) during which administrative, technical and academic figures and selected professors in the field of archeology, architecture, sociology and history have been hosted. The seminar discussed four research papers:
The first was by Dr. Ahmed Kassem Aljumaa, through which he discussed the importance of civilization, heritage and archeology of the Old Mosul and presented a series of designs that represent the archeological style of mosques, churches, markets and old houses. He called for the reconstruction of old Mosul according to its heritage and archeology.
The second paper by Professor Mowafaq Wissi discussed social effects of the economic crises and military wars that Mosul faced and its impact on the social and cultural construction among the people of the city.
The third paper by Dr. Ahmed Yousef Al-Omari, Head of the Department of Architecture at the University of Mosul, discussed the most effective ways to reconstruct the old city with modern mechanisms while preserving the old architectural style that characterizes it.
The fourth paper was by Dr. Muhammad Nizar al-Dabbagh/Center for the Studies of Mosul, in which he presented many proposals in order to promote the service, economic and cultural reality, especially after the recent war and the destruction that took place during the military operations.
The discussion was then opened to the participants in order to comment, ask questions and give suggestions.
The workshop came out with a number of recommendations including:
1. The need to reconstruct the old city and restore it to what it was and not to make changes only if necessary.
2. Conducting a survey that gives the citizen the right to choose the future of the Old City.
3. Not to allow any project to reconstruct the city of Mosul without taking into account the point of view of its population through the representation of scientific institutions
4. Take into the consideration the rights of the owners of the destroyed and damaged houses in the old city of Mosul, their fairness by the government and the society and not to exploit their needs to seize the proprieties unlawfully.
5. The need to protect the archaeological sites from the hands of the abusers and the thieves and continue the rehabilitation of cadres in order to conduct the necessary studies.
6. Through the study of the experiences of old cities, which have been vandalized as in the old cities of Lebanon and others, and return them according to their ancient archeology, we recommend that the urban planning necessary for reconstruction through specialized cadres, while preserving the heritage of the old city.
7. The participators recommended the need to develop an integrated strategic plan includes the legislation of the law for the reconstruction of old Mosul and provide an attractive economic environment to encourage investors and capital owners, especially from the people of the city to contribute to the reconstruction process.
8. The need to preserve places of worship such as mosques, shrines, churches and other places of worship belonging to other religions, which have been completely destroyed, and the need to maintain the religious pluralism that characterizes the province of Nineveh and consider the reconstruction of religious buildings and places of worship are factors that motivate the displaced to return to their areas.
9. Rehabilitation of the building of the Mosul Museum on the basis of modern scientific and documentation of the extent of the destruction suffered by the archaeological finds, and restore the library and maintenance of its halls.
10. Submit these recommendations to the general Authority for Antiquities and Heritage at the Ministry of Culture, the Committee on Culture and Information and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for consideration and adoption.
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