In Bijeljina, the renovated Ahmed-aga Krpić Mosque was ceremonially opened

(Patria) - The renovated Ahmed-aga Krpić Mosque in Bijeljina was ceremonially opened today in the presence of numerous guests from religious, political, and social life of Bosnia and Herzegovina and believers.

The ceremony was attended by the Reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein-ef. Kavazović, who emphasized that mosques and temples are "God's houses" on Earth and that their task is to keep people connected to their Lord, to maintain that sacred bond, to build people and develop the positive potentials they carry within them; to educate them on the principles of high morality.

"So, who is bothered by mosques and temples, who destroys them?! Without a doubt, they are destroyed by people with darkened minds, who, due to their hatred and darkness, do not see goodness, do not recognize jewels, do not notice the shine. Because those who are educated by the mosque are true jewels, ornaments of the human race, the best creatures. It is precisely the mosque that has contributed to open and cordial communication among people. Therefore, we truly hope that evil people will no longer have the opportunity to realize their dark intentions. I hope that we will all stand in their way together," said the Reis-ul-ulema.



He emphasized that the more active the mosque is, the more life there is in it, the more beautiful and noble this city will be, and life in it better and sweeter.

"Do not let it be a stranger in its own city. And it will be a stranger if the people of this place do not visit it, respect it, and care for it. Let the sobs of the repentant be heard in its space, and the voices of those who praise God Almighty. And the voices of children who will grow up in its embrace and become great people. And let righteous believers gather in it and discuss what is most important to do for the good of man, the good of this city, and the good of the entire country. I invite all good people of Bijeljina to join them in this and to unite their strength. Regardless of religious or any other affiliation. This is how we will be able to achieve great goals - for the good of all," said, among other things, Reis-ul-ulema Husein-ef. Kavazović.

The Reis-ul-ulema declared the mosque open and a waqf of the Islamic Community.

This mosque was built at the end of the 18th century by the prominent Bijeljina merchant Ahmed-aga Krpić, and for the maintenance of the mosque, he endowed several shops in Janjica čaršija, which was completely demolished in the fifties of the last century. The Ahmed-aga Krpić Mosque was demolished to its foundations on March 13, 1993, when the other three Bijeljina mosques and the Janjica mesdzid were also demolished. The Islamic Community sought to rebuild all the demolished mosques in the years after the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"On this day, we are immensely joyful, because of the joy of the people with whom we share their feelings. This is a magnificent endeavor, as we are opening another mosque in Bijeljina," said the Mufti of Tuzla, dr. Vahid-ef. Fazlović.

The Mufti also pointed out three messages from these days, reports mina.

"We are opening a mosque that was demolished in a difficult time for our people. We must remember that time and the actions of people who were destructive. The second message is that we have rebuilt the mosque, in a new, better time. Many builders participated in the construction of this mosque, and we are grateful to all of them. And today, as a third message, I want to point out the significance of this day, that we are gathered, undivided in this city in joy, that we have lived to see the Ahmed-aga Krpić Mosque once again be a house of faith, community, and Bosniak Muslims in this city, to which they will come because they need it. It was like that 200 years ago, and it is like that today," emphasized the Mufti.

From 1993 to 1998, the site of the Krpić Mosque was a parking lot and a makeshift market. In the spring of 1992, Arkan's men entered it, devastated it, and "triumphantly" took photos. People were killed in the mosque's courtyard. Across from the mosque, in the butcher Redžep's house, 17 people were killed in the basement, and three civilians were killed in front of the house, whom Arkan's men kicked. All of this was captured in photographs by American photojournalist Ron Haviv.

"It is nice to see us gathered in the courtyard of this beautiful mosque. We must point out the fact that more people were killed in the vicinity of this mosque, that certain formations entered the mosque and took photos triumphantly. In a word, criminals. But today we will not talk about them, today we are talking about our joy. Some said that we would dry up here, we did not, we are here and we are building, we are restoring the beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which unites all people," said Emir Musli, president of the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Bijeljina.

This is the sixth renovated mosque in the area of the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Bijeljina, and the second in the city of Bijeljina. The remaining two Bijeljina mosques are in the final stages of renovation, one mesdzid is in use, and the other is awaiting reconstruction.

"Aware of the message of Almighty God that building and maintaining mosques is a sign of faith and piety, we are also aware of the fact that at every moment of our lives it is very important to be among those who build and maintain what has been built. This is a great honor and a sign that we are on the right path. Faith implies doing good, no matter how small it may be. Sometimes it seems to us that the deed is small and that we cannot give more of ourselves, however, Allah knows best that even this small deed creates great things. Everyone contributes a little, and that little produces the great, and in this case, by building and renovating mosques, we are all together building a strong and stable community united in goodness," said Samir-ef. Camić, chief imam of the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Bijeljina.

Refik Lendo, Vice President of the FBiH entity, emphasized that today from Bijeljina, "messages are being sent that Bosniaks speak the truth, that they will not forget, but that they will not seek revenge, but that they want to live together".

"This ambiance is something that was missing from this area. This area without a mosque, and we remember it that way, did not fit into this ambiance. This is the true ambiance of Bijeljina, of its people. Churches, mosques, synagogues are our adornment. Our mosques are places where Islam is learned, and then believers should live Islam in Bijeljina, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and living Islam means having empathy for your neighbor. Living Islam means helping your neighbor, having empathy for returnees, for the old and infirm. The reflection of democracy is that we all have the same rights and obligations, both in Bijeljina and in every one of our places," said Lendo.