Two of Mosul’s oldest churches, Saint Thomas and Al-Tahira churches, were reopened after they were destroyed by Islamic State militants, in a boost for Iraq's second city as it rebuilds after long years of war.

Hundreds of worshippers gathered for the reopening and consecration ceremonies, attending prayers amid the rebuilt halls.

The Saint Thomas Syriac Orthodox Church dating back to the 7th century, and the Al-Tahira Church of the Chaldeans which was built in the 18th century, were both inaugurated following their reconstruction which came as part of the "Revive the Spirit of Mosul" initiative, launched in 2018, by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Iraqi authorities. Reconstruction efforts for the churches began in 2023.

"These churches are not just stone buildings, but they carry the history of Christianity and the Christian roots that extend in this country, in this nation, and in this province, Nineveh Province, which dates back to more than 1400 to 1500 years,” said Archbishop of the Syriac Catholic Diocese of Mosul, Mar Benedict, Younan Hanno.

Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, was captured by Islamic State militants in 2014 and remained under their control until it was liberated by Iraqi forces in 2017.

 "These churches are symbolic to the city of Mosul, as they promote peaceful coexistence and brotherhood among the people of Mosul," said Director of the Nineveh Antiquities and heritage Inspectorate, Ruwaid Muwaffaq.