After the proclamation of the Islamic State in 2014, devastation followed in the wake of the IS occupying forces. For example, ancient Palmyra (Syria) served as a major caravan stop on the Silk Road, and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Its unique architecture is a fusion of Roman, Syrian and Persian influences. The IS occupiers murdered Palmyras antiquities chief, Khaled Assad, saying that the sites he oversaw promoted idolatry. During the occupation, ISIS also demolished the 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin and portions of the adjacent Roman Temple of Bel. As soon as it is feasible, UNESCO plans to send a team to determine the extent of the destruction. Syria will take the lead in restoring the sites. The Syrian antiquities director is sanguine about the effort and has said that Palmyra will be restored in the next five years. Others are not as hopeful and believe that it will take more time and resources. Moreover, they feel that some of the sites are so damaged they will never realize their former grandeur. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Isils leader, made his first and only public appearance at the pulpit of the mosque when he declared his so-called caliphateon June 29, 2014. In the meantime, ISIS blew up the 12th century Grand Mosque of al-Nouri in the old city of Mosul with explosives on June 21, 2017 after Iraqi forces advanced to within 150 feet. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the ISIS leader, made his only public appearance at the pulpit of the mosque when he declared the caliphate in 2014. UNESCO mourned the loss of one of Iraqs most venerated sites. The mosque’s famous leaning minaret, which had earned the nickname of Iraqs Tower of Pisa, had dominated skyline of Iraqs second largest city for centuries. The destruction by ISIS of this landmark “deepens the wounds” in war-torn Iraq, Irina Bokova, chief of the UNs cultural agency said on June 22. “This new destruction deepens the wounds of a society already affected by an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy.” The UN has described the ISIS destructive campaign as “cultural cleansing.” In addition to razing ancient sites. ISIS has looted artifacts to sell on the antique black market. In the meantime, the Syrian civil war has displaced half of the population, including thousands from Palmyra. UNESCO will pay for the initial assessment with emergency funds. In the long-term UNESCO will direct a fundraising campaign for the reconstruction of Palmyra, soliciting contributions from governments, foundations, and individual donors. If you were brought in as a consultant to UNESCO, how would you frame this solicitation for the restoration of these sites in Syria and Iraq?
