Foča: Central Eid Celebration to be Held at Emperor's Mosque

The central Eid celebration for the Goražde Mufti's area will be held at the Emperor's Mosque in Foča. The imam and preacher of the Eid prayer will be the Goražde Mufti, Remzija ef. Pitić, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

The Eid prayer will be performed according to the Calendar of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kurban-Bajram is on Saturday, October 4th.

The Emperor's Mosque in the Foča's Stara čaršija mahalla is located above the city market in Foča, on a hill called Kavala. The mosque was built by Sultan Bayezid II Vali in 1500/01. It is known among the people as the Emperor's Mosque. On the right side at the entrance to the mosque is the tomb of Sultanija Fatima.

This mosque was a massive and imposing stone-built structure, measuring 10.65 x 19.00 m. With its 37-meter-high stone minaret, it dominated a large part of the city of Foča.

The Emperor's Mosque was set on fire and completely destroyed on April 23, 1992, and the remains of the mosque were taken to an unknown location after its demolition.

After being declared a national monument by the Commission for the Preservation of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Reconstruction Committee was formed, project documentation was prepared, all necessary approvals were obtained, and its reconstruction began in 2013. It is being restored in its original form through donations from community members and businessmen. The mosque walls have already been rebuilt and the mosque is roofed, according to the announcement from the Goražde Mufti's office.