Bajram in the largest returnee settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A symbol of return and survival

(Patria) - In Janja, the largest returnee settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bajram is not just experienced as a religious holiday. Here it carries additional weight - it is a symbol of return, survival, and life that has been rebuilt and is lived today.

During the Bajram days, a special atmosphere is felt in this Semberija town - families gather, homes are open, and streets are filled with encounters, conversations, and greetings, writes Federalna.ba.

Today, Janja is a place where return is visible at every step - in renovated homes, daily life, and the people who have decided to stay. In such an environment, Bajram gains a broader meaning and becomes a holiday associated with a sense of belonging and continuity of life.

Visits to relatives and neighbors are an indispensable part of the celebration, while open doors and hospitality remain among the most recognizable characteristics of this place.

- The atmosphere is beautiful, there is coexistence. Our neighbors congratulate us, and we all feel good - says local resident Ilijaz Adžić.

Bajram in Janja is not just the observance of a day, but a confirmation of life that is continuously being built. In a place that is a symbol of return, this holiday reminds us of the importance of community, tradition, and mutual respect.

The President of the Executive Board of the Islamic Community Janja, hafiz Fahret Baćevac, emphasized that religious life in this place has stable foundations.

- Today, the Islamic Community Janja has three jamaats, or three mosques. When it comes to coexistence and life in Janja, Bosniaks are in a good position. There are certain things that the municipal authorities could improve, but we hope, with God's help, that everything will be as it should be - Baćevac points out.

The reconstruction process has been ongoing for years, and the results are visible in both the religious and infrastructural segments.

The Vice-President of the Bijeljina City Assembly, Samir Baćevac, emphasizes that significant progress has been made.

- We renovated the mosques 20 years ago, religious life has been restored. Also, we are working on infrastructure year after year, and we can say that we have revitalized Janja and the place where we live.

It is not yet entirely as we wish, but we are trying to make it pleasant for returnees. We also have families returning from abroad, from the West, because a foreign sun does not warm like the sun in our homeland - says Baćevac.

The reconstruction process is ongoing, with continuous work on building infrastructure and religious buildings.

In the Bijeljina and Janja area, several mosques have been renovated so far, including the Atik mosque, the Ahmed-aga Krpić mosque, and the Ahmed-beg Salihbegović mosque, which was officially opened last year.

The Islamic Community announces the continuation of renovation and construction, and in the coming period, the opening of new mosques is expected, which further confirms the continuity of life and community in this region.