Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Iraq building a digital library to stop Isis destroying thousands of years of human learning

Militants from the so-called Islamic State have set out to eradicate Iraq’s history and culture

Samuel Osborne
Tuesday 04 August 2015 11:00 EDT
Comments
Isis militants attack ancient artifacts with sledgehammers in the Ninevah Museum in Mosul, Iraq (AP)
Isis militants attack ancient artifacts with sledgehammers in the Ninevah Museum in Mosul, Iraq (AP) (AP Photo via militant social media account)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Iraq is working to digitize its national library in order to preserve thousands of years of knowledge from future threats, such as Isis.

Militants from the so-called Islamic State have set out to eradicate Iraq’s history and culture – posting numerous videos in recent months showing them destroying priceless artefacts.

last week, Isis released a video showing the destruction of statues in Mosul
last week, Isis released a video showing the destruction of statues in Mosul (Reuters)

Fighters have released footage showing them burning thousands of books and rare manuscripts in Mosul.

In the video, an Isis fighter cites the example of the prophet Muhammad’s destruction of idols in Mecca as an example. He also condemns the Assyrians and Akkadians as polytheists, justifying destroying the artefacts and statues.

(AP)
(AP) (AP Photo via militant social media account)

Last month, jihadis destroyed a 2,000-year-old lion statue outside the Syrian city of Palmyra’s museum.

Isis has also been caught selling Syrian artefacts in London in order to raise money to fund their fight.

The sculpture as it was being bludgeoned by an Isis member
The sculpture as it was being bludgeoned by an Isis member (YouTube)

Artefacts looted by ISIS in Iraq and Syria have also shown up for sale on eBay.

But now Iraq is looking to preserve its heritage for future generations.

Isis believes the monuments are un-Islamic
Isis believes the monuments are un-Islamic

Jamal Abdel-Majeed Abdulkareem, acting director of Baghdad libraries and archives, told the AP news agency that the militants "want history to reflect their own views instead of the way it actually happened."

The Baghdad National Library also says sharing Iraqi art and literature is key to combatting terrorism.

An image grab taken off a video reportedly released by Media Office of the Nineveh branch of the Islamic State (IS) Group on February 25, 2015, allegedly shows an IS militant destroying the statue of Lamassu, an Assyrian diety, with a jackhammer in the northern Iraqi Governorate of Nineveh.
An image grab taken off a video reportedly released by Media Office of the Nineveh branch of the Islamic State (IS) Group on February 25, 2015, allegedly shows an IS militant destroying the statue of Lamassu, an Assyrian diety, with a jackhammer in the northern Iraqi Governorate of Nineveh. (AFP PHOTO/HO/Isis Niniveh)

"When an area is liberated,” Jamal told AP, “we send them books to replenish whatever was stolen or destroyed, but also, so that Iraqis in this area have access to these materials so they can always feel proud of their rich history."

The destruction of Iraq’s heritage is not confined to Isis though.

As well as their extreme violence towards their enemies, Isis also seek to destroy ancient artifacts, of which Palmyra has many.
As well as their extreme violence towards their enemies, Isis also seek to destroy ancient artifacts, of which Palmyra has many. (JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)

Librarians and academics in Baghdad are working to preserve what’s left of the nation’s library, after thousands of documents were lost or damaged at the height of the US-led invasion.

The national Library, which was established by the British in 1920, was set on fire by arsonists at the start of the US-led occupation in 2003. According to AP, 25 per cent of its books and around 60 per cent of its archives were destroyed.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in