Efendija Pitić: Evil is possible only if good people step aside

(Patria) - Remzija ef. Pitić, Mufti of Goražde, during the ceremony of opening the Aladža Mosque, said that they are grateful to God Almighty for enabling them to do good.

"May the souls of the noble Bosnian martyrs and our good ancestors be at peace. May the soul of our Hasan Nazar be at peace. Thank you for coming to share our joy with us. Our joy has been enhanced by our dear friend who represents a great nation, Minister of Culture Mehmed Nuriejson.

We thank the American people and the US Ambassador Eric Nelson. Many thanks to Adnan Ertem, General Director of the Turkish Directorate of Foundations. Our friends have helped us return the mosque of Hasan Nazir to our homeland and rebuild it. God has given us a beautiful land, God has given us that. May Aladža be here for us to look into ourselves and bring out the best in us towards others. Evil is possible only if good people step aside," said ef. Pitić.

Aladža was built in 1549 by Hasan Nezir, a close associate of Mimar Sinan. Renovation work officially began in 2014.

Aladža was demolished in 1992, after the fall of the town on the Drina and after the non-Serb population was expelled from their homes. 27 years later, its reconstruction marks a beacon of return for the people of Foča and hope for coexistence in eastern Bosnia.

Today, hundreds of expelled Bosniaks and other citizens of Foča, numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps, and some of the highest officials of the political leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina are in Foča.