Islamic Militants In Iraq Destroy Another Historic Mosque

July 28, 2014

Islamic State militants have destroyed a nearly 600-year-old mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul, the latest of several religious sites demolished by the group recently.

Mosul residents said the Prophet Jirjis Mosque and Shrine was blown up on July 27 by the radical Sunni group because it is a Shi'ite worship site.

Another site destroyed in Mosul last week was the mosque of the Prophet Shiyt (Seth) -- who is revered in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Also demolished was the Mosque of the Prophet Yunis (Jonah), whose story is in the Bible and the Koran.

Muqtada al-Sadr, a leading Shi'ite cleric in Iraq, said Yunis "was a prophet for all religions" and that those behind the destruction "don't deserve to live."

The Islamic State, previously known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, has captured large parts of western and northern Iraq in June, including Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP