A multicultural city
The city and its region are characterised by great ethnic and religious diversity. Although Arab populations settled there after the Muslim conquest, the people in the 10th century were mainly Kurdish according to the description of the geographer Ibn Hawqal. Later, Turkish and then Mongolian populations settled there. Kurds and Arabs have historically lived together alongside many diverse minorities.
An exceptional heritage
Since the medieval period, the city has hosted a great variety of religious denominations, among both Muslims and Christians, in addition to Jewish and Yezidi communities. This denominational diversity and dynamism led to the construction of many religious shrines, which remained intact until the destructions of Daesh. Some of these places, notably the tombs of prophets, were regularly visited by various religious communities. The city thus became a place for pious visits (ziyarat), exerting a power of attraction well beyond the region.
