Breza Miners: Iftar in the Pit Has a Special Charm

Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina often spend Ramadan days on annual leave, especially since it is summer and the fast lasts 17 hours, writes the Patria News Agency. However, many fasters are forced to do hard physical labor to feed their families, and some of them do not give up fasting despite the heat.

This is the case with the miners in Breza who bring their iftars into the “Sretno“ pit and eat deep underground. The call to prayer cannot be heard down there, nor can the lanterns be seen, but one of them is always in charge of keeping track of time and warning the others when iftar is approaching. As Dženan Mušinbegović, one of the younger fasters in the mine, told the Patria News Agency, up to 10 miners fast in one shift.

- It's not easy, especially because of the water. But God gives us strength. No one has complained so far that it is difficult. Iftar in the pit has its own charm - says Mušinbegović.

He has been working in the Breza Brown Coal Mine since 2009, and he says there hasn't been a Ramadan when he didn't fast with his colleagues.

- Every iftar in the pit has its own story. We are united anyway, and Ramadan brings us even closer to each other. I am glad that I am not alone and that there are other colleagues who fast - added Mušinbegović.

This hardworking miner is also a big sports enthusiast and one of the most loyal fans from this mining town who follows all the performances of BiH national teams in all sports.

Mušinbegović: A Big Sports Enthusiast

Miners from the Breza mine also participated in cleanup operations in the flooded areas of BiH.

- People had to be helped, and there was no dilemma for us. We took our equipment and headed for Maglaj and other areas. All normal people should do that - added Mušinbegović.