BAGHDAD: Militants from ‘Islamic State’ who control large swaths of territory across northern Iraq Thursday demolished the shrine of Prophet Yunus in in the Iraqi city of Mosul.
The militants completely destroyed the shrine of Nabi Yunus after telling local families to stay away and closing the roads to a distance of 500 meters from the shrine,” AFP quoted an official at the Sunni endowment, which manages Sunni religious affairs in Iraq, as saying on Thursday.
The shrine is one of the most revered shrines in Iraqs northern city. The prophet is known as Yunus in the holy Quran and as Jonah in the Bible.
The mosque was built on an archaeological site dating back to 8th century BC and is said to be the burial place of the prophet, who in stories from both the Bible and Quran is swallowed by a whale.
The shrine has remained a popular destination for archaeologists and religious pilgrims from around the world.
ISIS has declared all shrines across Iraq, including those in Karbala and Najaf, as places of apostasy and has vowed to raze them.
The endowment official noted that the militants have already destroyed or damaged 30 shrines, which include both Sunni and Shia religious sites and mosques in and around Mosul.
He listed the shrines of Yahya Ibn al-Qassem, Aoun al-Din and Prophet Daniel as the most important Muslim shrines destroyed or damaged by the Takfiri militants.
“But the worst destruction was of centuries old Nabi Yunus, which has been turned to dust,” the official said.
Several nearby houses were also damaged by the blast, said the residents, speaking on condition of anonymity because they feared for their own safety.
“They first stopped people from praying in it, then fixed explosive charges around and inside it and then blew it up in front of a large gathering of people,” AFP quoted a witness who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The militants who adhere to Salafi-Wahabi brand have demolished several holy shrines and mosques belonging to Shia and Sunni Muslims in the militancy-riddled regions of Nineveh Province.
The crisis in Iraq escalated after the ISIS terrorists took control of Mosul in a lightning advance on June 10, which was followed by the fall of Tikrit, located 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of the capital.
The Iraqi army, backed by tribal forces and volunteers, has been engaged in heavy fighting with the militants on different fronts and has so far been able to push back militants in several areas, including in Tikrit.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |