'Life wins' as Mosul reopens university library after ISIS destruction

ISIS destroyed the building and its book collection in 2014

A picure shows the official inauguration on February 19, 2022 of Mosul University's new Central Library which has been refurbished with financing from a UN agency following it's destruction by jihadists over the past decade. - The storied library of Iraq's Mosul University boasted a million titles before Islamic State group jihadists rampaged through it, toppling book shelves and burning ancient texts. Now, almost five years after their defeat, the war-battered northern metropolis is trying to rebuild the pride of the city long known as a literature hub boasting countless booksellers and archives guarding rare manuscripts. Four floors high with a sleek glass exterior, the Central Library will have an initial 32,000 books. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP)

The storied library of Iraq's Mosul University had a million titles before ISIS fighters rampaged through it. AFP

A man checks the books inside the new-look library. Reuters

Four floors high, the Central Library will have an initial 32,000 books. Reuters

Almost five years after the defeat of ISIS, Mosul is trying to rebuild its reputation as a literature hub with countless booksellers and archives guarding rare manuscripts. AFP

Some of the historic books that were burnt by ISIS fighters. AFP

The library, refurbished with financing from a UN agency, is aiming to build a million-strong collection.

A picure taken during the official inauguration on February 19, 2022 of Mosul University's new Central Library, which has been refurbished with financing from a UN agency following it's destruction by jihadists over the past decade, shows old books that were burnt or damaged as Islamic State group (IS) fighters rampaged through it. - The storied library of Iraq's Mosul University boasted a million titles before IS group jihadists stormed it and toppled book shelves, burning scores of ancient texts. Now, almost five years after their defeat, the war-battered northern metropolis is trying to rebuild the pride of the city long known as a literature hub boasting countless booksellers and archives guarding rare manuscripts. Four floors high with a sleek glass exterior, the Central Library will have an initial 32,000 books. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP)

The new library also features a digital trove of e-books. AFP

The Iraqi city of Mosul opened its newly-restored Central Library last week, eight years after terrorist group ISIS destroyed it.

Founded in 1921, it was one of the richest libraries in Iraq, second only to the Central Library in Baghdad.

When ISIS took over the city in 2014, the university library was bombarded by missiles and badly damaged. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 books and ancient manuscripts were destroyed. A treasured archive recognised by Unesco was also damaged.

In all, around 85 per cent of the library's collection was lost.

Unesco called the sabotage “one of the most devastating acts of destruction of library collections in human history”.

The refurbished library was reopened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Saturday.

“Done, mission achieved. The library that Daesh destroyed is officially reconstructed and open with full life,” Iraqi historian Omar Mohammed said, using the alias “Mosul Eye” on Twitter.

“Life Wins,” he said.

For Ali Al Baroodi, a photographer and Mosul University lecturer, the destruction of the library was the “worst thing that happened to me on campus”.

“The Central Library is the beating heart of the campus,” he told The National.

“The campus is still the silver shining of Mosul. It brought all the international community together in one place. The newly joined students will finally find a quiet solace to read.”

The two-storey library is next to a bustling student centre and theatre hall.

It can seat more than 1,000 students and has space for more than 100,000 books. It currently has 32,000.

“The reopening of the Central Library and Ninewa Federal Court of Appeal is an important milestone in the journey to revitalising this iconic city,” UNDP resident representative in Iraq, Zena Ali Ahmad, said.

“I am proud that today, the number of students at the University has surpassed enrollment rates before ISIS occupation by over 40 per cent. This shows the strength and resilience of the city – one that’s well on its way to recovery after years of conflict.”