In Sarajevo, funeral prayer for Sheikh Halil Brzina was held: 'Teachers like him are desperately needed today'

(Patria) - In the courtyard of the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the funeral prayer for Halil Brzina, Sheikh of the Naqshbandi Tekke Mejtaš in Sarajevo and retired general of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was held today.

The funeral prayer was led by the Reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein-ef. Kavazović.



- We are sending off a ghazi and a sheikh to a better world. We are saddened by his departure, and the void he left behind can be filled with memories, but it cannot be compensated for - stated Kavazović.

He emphasized that Sheikh Brzina's life was filled with constant struggle and self-reflection, with the aim of blunting the edge of evil and opening paths of good.



- We witness that he was a ghazi and that he gave much more than he took in life. He was persistent and unwavering in his beliefs and in what he did.

He used every opportunity to advocate for all of us, to help and encourage. Teachers like him are desperately needed today - said the Reis-ul-ulema.

Sheikh Brzina was born in 1953 in Stolac. After completing his studies, he worked at the Zenica Ironworks, and at the beginning of the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he actively participated in the defense of the country.



During the aggression, he was one of the key figures in the formation of the Seventh Muslim Brigade, an elite unit of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was known for its strong religious and moral code of conduct.

In religious and military circles, he was also known by his spiritual name Halil Hulusi Nakšibendi el-Bosnevi.

After the aggression, he was appointed commander of the First Corps of the Army of the Republic of BiH, but due to deteriorating health, he soon withdrew and went into early retirement.



He played a significant role in the construction and restoration of several mosques and tekkes.

For his contribution to the defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was awarded the highest wartime honors, among which the "Golden Emblem with Swords" stands out, which was personally presented to him by President Alija Izetbegović in 1998.

He passed away at the age of 72 at the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, where he had been undergoing treatment in recent weeks.