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Iraq building a digital library to stop Isis destroying thousands of years of human learning Iraq building a digital library to stop Isis destroying thousands of years of human learning
(5 months later)
Iraq is working to digitize its national library in order to preserve thousands of years of knowledge from future threats, such as Isis.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.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 Fighters have released footage showing them burning thousands of books and rare manuscripts in Mosul. 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.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) Last month, jihadis destroyed a 2,000-year-old lion statue outside the Syrian city of Palmyra’s museum. 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.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 Artefacts looted by ISIS in Iraq and Syria have also shown up for sale on eBay. 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.But now Iraq is looking to preserve its heritage for future generations.
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." 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.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. "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." "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.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. 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. 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.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.