A university library in Iraq which was destroyed by the Islamic State (IS) has been restored thanks to a Camberwell-based charity.
Book International on Coldharbour Lane has sent more than 20,000 books to the University of Mosul library, which re-opened on February 19.
The library – formally described as “one of the best in the Middle East” – was devastated in the war against the Islamic State terror group.
“There are few places in the world which have suffered a more direct attack on learning than Mosul, and we are incredibly proud to have played a small role in restoring the book collection which was destroyed,” said Alison Tweed, Book Aid International chief executive.
The library was one of IS’s first targets after they captured Iraq’s second-biggest city in 2014, and they proceeded to use the campus as a base.
Later the library was struck by several missiles fired by the US-led coalition as it battled the militants. IS then set it on fire before their retreat.
More than one million books, including many priceless and irreplaceable texts, were destroyed in the fighting.
The 20,099 books donated by Book Aid International cover a broad range of subjects across the sciences, engineering, the humanities and medicine.
Book Aid’s donation is part of a wider renovation of the university, which has taken two years and required the removal or detonation of the remains of 3,000 bombs and 200 missiles.
“This is an extraordinary moment in the history of our city. The library’s re-opening is not just important to the students – but to all of us who lived through that terrible time,” said Dr Sayf Al Ashqar, secretary-general of libraries at Mosul University.
“It is a symbol of a new beginning and we would like to thank everyone who made it possible,” he added.
Book Aid International first began supporting the library after being approached by Mosul University Professor and founder of the Mosul Book Bridge project Dr Alaa Hamdon.
He said: “I have always believed that libraries are lighthouses of knowledge – providing a beacon for those who value learning. ISIS extinguished that light for a time, but now our lighthouse is once again burning bright.
Founded in 1954, Book Aid International is a charity that sends books to public and community libraries, alongside libraries in prisons, refugee camps, hospitals, schools and universities.
It aims to offer those in need the chance to read, learn and change their own lives for the better.
In 2019, an estimated 19 million people read the books which Book Aid International provided, according to the organisation.