The Kušlat Mosque is a symbol of hope, renewal, and unity

(Patria) - The traditional Friday prayer at Kušlat will be held on Friday, August 30, and the preacher will be the chief imam of the Islamic Community of Zvornik, hafiz Izet-ef. Salkanović.

The Kušlat Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in our country. It was built in the mid-15th century and is located on a rock 500 meters high. It was built by Ottoman soldiers immediately upon their arrival in Bosnia, and for this reason, it is considered the first military mosque in our homeland.

"This is a unique military religious facility built in the early Ottoman period, between 1460 and 1480. It was built by Ottoman soldiers immediately upon their arrival in Bosnia, and for this reason, it is also considered the first military mosque in our homeland. At that location, before the arrival of the Ottomans, there was a fortress and a military stronghold, surrounded by high walls for combat, a place from which the caravan route was controlled since Roman times from Srebrenica towards Zvornik and further towards Bijeljina.

It is only possible to reach the mosque on foot, via a narrow path through the forest, and the walk takes about half an hour," imam Salkanović told MINA Agency.

After it was set on fire by Serbian forces during the aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993, the mosque was restored in its original form and at the same location. Since its reconstruction in 2013, the tradition from earlier times of holding the Friday prayer on the last Friday of August in this mosque has continued, and in recent years, it has also become a practice to hold one Friday prayer during Ramadan in this mosque.

"Although the Kušlat Mosque is a monument of immeasurable cultural importance, not only for this region but for our entire homeland, it is also a religious symbol of this area. When the Ottomans came to these lands, they brought Islam with them, and that faith has remained with Bosniaks to this day.

This mosque has become a symbol of our centuries-long existence. Although we would all wish to be at Kušlat more often, due to the ambiance, the beauty of this mosque, to gather, worship, and socialize, that is unfortunately not currently possible. But perhaps therein lies the even greater charm of these gatherings twice a year," he emphasized.

Although they organize the Friday prayer twice, the number of people visiting this mosque throughout the year is very large.

"The Kušlat Mosque is more than a religious building; it is a symbol of hope, renewal, and unity, and a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural and religious values in everyday life," said hafiz Salkanović.

The program on August 30 begins at 12:45 PM with the recitation of Surah Al-Fath, and after the Friday prayer, a prayer for the homeland will also be recited.

On Sunday, September 1, at 3:00 PM, a zikr will be held at the Kušlat Mosque.