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Iraqi cyclists pose next to their bikes before taking part in the first all female Mosul cycling race, Mosul, Iraq, 12 April 2021. Some 35 female riders from all over the Nineveh Province, with ages ranging from 15 to 30 years old, took part in a first race of its kind through the streets of the damaged old City of Mosul on 12 April. The event's starting point was the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, a famous landmark that became even more known after being the location of IS leader speech announcing self-declared Caliphate, when IS controlled Mosul. The race was organized by a section of the Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sports and an Italian NGO "UPP" (Un Ponte Per-A bridge for) which promotes solidarity initiatives in favor of Iraqi people who suffered from the conflict as well German Cooperation and other organizations. The event ended with medals to all participants and aims at helping initiate attitude change in a generally conservative Iraqi society, about female usage of bicycles and to bring attention to the need of more reconstruction efforts in the war torn city of Mosul especially its old parts which were the theater of fierce fighting to drive out IS fighters from the town. (Photo by Omar Alhayali/EPA/EFE)
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