Sermon on the occasion of Mosque Day

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Islamic Community in BiH has published a sermon on the occasion of Mosque Day on May 7.

“Mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke anyone else along with Allah! (Surah Al-Jinn, 18)

“And, know, with hardship comes ease,

Indeed, with hardship comes ease,

So when you are free (from difficulty), strive (in worship),

And to your Lord direct all your attention!“ (Al-Inshirah, 4-8)

Dear brothers and sisters,

We welcomed the blessed month of Ramadan this year in a different atmosphere. The coronavirus pandemic has blocked the entire world, closed numerous state borders, cities, businesses, schools, and markets. The scenes we witnessed in the past period were eerie and sad, the streets were empty, and people were bewildered and scared. The scenes of closed mosques were particularly sad for us. Although this crisis will leave certain social consequences and, according to some predictions, result in significant losses, there is also some good hidden in all of this. Some good cannot be seen immediately, while some is clear and obvious.

It is evident that our homes were the safest places for us and our families during the pandemic, provided that prayers were performed and the Quran was recited in them. We have witnessed that our homes are our ships of salvation, offering us refuge and a way out of all dangers.

We have also realized that our happiness and wealth lie in our homes and our families. Whoever has not realized this, whoever has not found happiness in their home, will not find it anywhere else. Likewise, whoever does not see their wealth in their parents, spouse, and children is a loser and unfortunate. Such a person will never find peace anywhere in the world.

With the arrival of blessed Ramadan, we felt blessings and tranquility descending upon our homes. Clear signs of this Ramadan grace are mutual respect, responsibility, seriousness, and the necessary peace in our homes, families, and communities.  

Although fasting is one of the more difficult commandments of our faith, it is evident how believers find special strength and endurance during these long days. It is clear that Ramadan, with its acts of worship, prepares us for future stages in our lives, for certain tests that lie ahead, with God's help, and for our individual as well as collective victories.

Dear brothers and sisters,

In this Ramadan, we also mark Mosque Day. On May 7, 1993, in the early morning hours, the Ferhadija Mosque in Banja Luka was demolished, and therefore this day is recognized as Mosque Day. On this day, we remember all the mosques, masjids, and religious buildings destroyed during the recent aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the areas controlled by the Army of Republika Srpska and the Croatian Defence Council, mosques were systematically and intentionally destroyed. In this uncivilized and destructive campaign, more than 80% of mosques and religious buildings were destroyed or damaged. Numerous Bosnian mosques were monuments of the highest category, protected by the state and UNESCO, such as the Aladža Mosque in Foča, Ferhadija and Arnaudija in Banja Luka, Sinan Pasha Mosque in Čajniče, Šišman Ibrahim Pasha Mosque in Počitelj, and others. Often, the bodies of murdered Bosniaks were buried with the remains of destroyed mosques. Murdered Bosniaks and their mosques were buried in mass graves. These were difficult times when our people faced severe trials of aggression and genocide.

Dear brothers and sisters,

With the reconstruction of all our destroyed mosques, our communities have risen and been renewed, and our people have stood tall and strengthened, for who knows how many times.

In times of severe trials and traumas, people sought solace and strength within the mosque's embrace. They gathered before the mihrabs, which were mostly placed on the ramparts of our homeland, at important points and locations. Our authorities were there, one step ahead of the community, whom our people followed and obeyed. Therefore, our existence and survival are tied to our mihrabs and mosques.

Mosques are symbols of our freedom. For centuries, they have liberated us and preserved within us an important sense of freedom. We have been free and dignified in history to the extent that we entered mosques and prostrated ourselves before the One God. Likewise, mosques are places that preserve all our values, traditions, authorities, and refresh our memories. Mosques also connect us with all previous generations, righteous people, benefactors, imams, hafizes, muezzins, and warriors.

In mosques, we learn order, respect for elders, obedience to the learned, and compassion for the young. In mosques, we take on our responsibilities and understand our role. In mosques, we recognize our Creator. As such, the mosque is also a symbol of our maturity.

Therefore, let us protect our mosques. Our relationship with mosques will largely determine our condition and status. Let us also protect all the adornments of our mosques. Let us preserve all mosque customs, traditional mawlids, tevhid and dhikr gatherings, children's khatm duas, i'tikafs, mukabellas, ikrar duas, and many other beautiful customs and adornments.

Dear brothers and sisters,

During the current pandemic, adhans and salawats are recited daily in our mosques, prayers are performed, and mukabellas are recited. Community boards take care of the mosques, maintain them, and prepare them. Therefore, let us rejoice in our reunion in our mosques. Our sorrow and need for the mosque during this trial is a clear confirmation of belonging and a sign of pure faith.

Let us be true owners of our homeland. Let us seek all of God's signs, all the guardians and beauties of this land. That awareness awakens deep respect. Then faith in the heart calms down and is perfected in action.

We ask Almighty God to accept our acts of worship, our prayers, fasting, zakat, and other good deeds. We ask Almighty God to have mercy on our deceased and to grant safety to our children.

I ask Almighty God that our mosques be a witness for us and not against us and our families.