Ribal Al-Assad condemns 'cultural genocide' in Iraq
Thursday, 30 October 2014
The Iman Dur Shrine in Iraq
Unesco Condemns Destruction of 11th-Century Shrine in Iraq
NEW YORK TIMES
Islamic extremists have destroyed an important 11th-century shrine in Iraq, in a continuation of their war on cultural sites they consider idolatrous, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, known as Unesco.
Unesco did not name Islamic State as being responsible for the destruction of the shrine, which it identified as the Imam Dur Shrine in Salahuddin Province, north of Baghdad.
But researchers who are tracking the widespread destruction of heritage sites in Syria and Iraq blamed the Islamic State, also known as ISIS.
Irina Bokova, Unesco director-general, said in a news release that the destruction of the shrine was not an isolated case. “The intentional targeting and systematic destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq is reaching unprecedented levels,” she said, calling such acts “cultural cleansing” and “war crimes.”
“Over the past months, we have witnessed similar attacks on historical buildings, in particular mosques, churches and shrines,” she said.
Unesco said the shrine – which consisted of a square main building topped with a tall dome — was “one of the emblematic representations of Islamic architecture of its time.”
In Iraq and Syria, Sunni extremists like the Islamic State and others are deliberately wrecking shrines, statues, mosques, tombs and churches — anything they regard as idolatry.
In a speech at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in late September, Secretary of State John Kerry warned about the destruction of heritage sites in Syria and promised action.
Sam Hardy, an antiquities researcher in London, said the Iraqi shrine was destroyed on Oct. 23.
He said another important loss recently was a shrine belonging to the minority Yazidi sect in Sinjar, which he said had been destroyed by militants.
Islamic State Continues Cultural Genocide in Iraq
ARTS NET
Islamic State militants advancing on Mount Sinjar in Iraq have continued their campaign of destroying Shia muslim shrines and those of other religious sects, Conflict Antiquities has reported. This, while other militants continue their siege of Kobane on the Turkish-Syrian border.
Reports surfaced on October 23 that IS militants destroyed the Shia Shrine of Imam al-Daur. Aside from its religious significance, the mausoleum, which was constructed in 1085, featured a unique muqarnas dome. It was the first of its kind and represented an important archaeological innovation at the time. The destruction of the site was condemned by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.
Conflict Antiquities also reported the destruction of the Yazidi Shrine of Meme Reshan, claiming the wrecking of the shrine is evidence that “Islamic state is continuing its program of genocide" against Yazidis and Kurds.
According to the Washington Post Yazidis, who practice a “unique, syncretic faith" have been brutally targeted by IS due to their polytheist beliefs. Yazidi volunteer fighters who have been protecting the area for several months have been forced to flee their homes, retreating towards the mountains, forcing them to leave their shrines behind to be picked off by IS militants.
Responding to the news, IMAN Chairman, Ribal Al-Assad said:
"I am absolutely appalled to learn of reports stating that this ancient monuments are being destroyed by Islamic militants, these are abhorrent and senseless acts which exemplify the extremist mentality.
Every day more and more of Iraq's rich culture and heritage is being lost to these militants, they will destroy anything and anyone who does not conform to their narrow and perverted ideology.
This is just one reason why it is imperative that the international community comes together and puts aside its differences to rid the country and the region from extremism.
How many more people have to die and how many irreplaceable sites have to be lost before appropriate action is taken?"
