Militants of the terrorist group "Islamic State" (IS) have blown up one of the oldest mosques in Iraq, the Al-Farooq Mosque.
To achieve maximum destruction, the extremists surrounded the mosque with explosives around the perimeter. This was stated by the official representative of the administration of Iraq's Anbar Province, Suleiman al-Kabisov, adding that "as a result of the explosion, the mosque was razed to the ground."
Al-Farouq was established in the first half of the 7th century. Since then, it has repeatedly been restored, and recently the authorities of the Province have considered it to be a holy site deeply revered among Muslims.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Iraq, in less than a year since the flurry of activity by the IS in Iraq, on the territory controlled by extremists some 30 religious buildings of exceptional historical value have been destroyed. Among them are ancient mosques, mausoleums, Christian churches and several monasteries, particularly the destruction by Islamic State in July last year of the mosque of the prophet Jonah in Mosul in northern Iraq, which is revered by both Muslims and Christians.
