Accessibility links

Breaking News

Islamic Militants In Iraq Destroy Another Historic Mosque


People walk through the rubble of a Shi'ite mosque after it was destroyed in a bomb attack by militants of the Islamic State in the city of Mosul on July 23.
People walk through the rubble of a Shi'ite mosque after it was destroyed in a bomb attack by militants of the Islamic State in the city of Mosul on July 23.

Islamic State militants have destroyed a nearly 600-year-old mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul, the latest of several religious sites demolished by the group recently.

Mosul residents said the Prophet Jirjis Mosque and Shrine was blown up on July 27 by the radical Sunni group because it is a Shi'ite worship site.

Another site destroyed in Mosul last week was the mosque of the Prophet Shiyt (Seth) -- who is revered in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Also demolished was the Mosque of the Prophet Yunis (Jonah), whose story is in the Bible and the Koran.

Muqtada al-Sadr, a leading Shi'ite cleric in Iraq, said Yunis "was a prophet for all religions" and that those behind the destruction "don't deserve to live."

The Islamic State, previously known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, has captured large parts of western and northern Iraq in June, including Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG