Is a concrete response to the attempt to turn Mostar into a "Croatian capital city" on the horizon?!

(Patria) - The Assembly of the Mufti's Office of the Islamic Community (MIZ) in Mostar unanimously adopted a conclusion today on accepting the conceptual design of the new "Mevlana" Intercultural Center at the location of Lakišića harem.

The concept was developed by the Modular d.o.o. Project Bureau, and the MIZ Mostar Executive Board was tasked with requesting urban planning and technical conditions from the competent city authorities for the commencement of construction of this building.

In this way, the initial idea of building an Islamic cultural center building has been transformed into the construction of the "Mevlana" Center. With these solutions, all congregations in the MIZ Mostar area will be informed about the project in the coming days.

From the session of the Assembly of MIZ Mostar

In explaining the idea to the Assembly representatives, Mostar Mufti Salem-ef. Dedović stated that this solution was reached after years of effort and discussions with representatives of local authorities and the international community.

- The Lakišića harem location is a site to which, from the perspective of history, tradition, civilization, culture, and morality, the Islamic Community (IZ) has a claim, but it is also a site located in the central zone of Mostar city and is not just a matter for the IZ and the Mufti of Mostar.

This is an all-Bosniak national issue. We believe that the concept of the "Mevlana" Intercultural Center is a compromise solution for the city of Mostar, below which Bosniaks in Mostar cannot go further - stated the Mufti.

Photo: Patria

The "Mevlana" Intercultural Center is based on the heritage that Mostar has had for centuries, and it is based on the study of Rumi's Masnavi.

- The Masnavi Chair in Mostar was founded by Derviš-paša Bajezidagić. The concept of Masnavi itself is a concept of inclusivity, connection, love, and peace-building.

We are offering such a concept at that location, as opposed to the closed and exclusive concept offered with the Croatian National Theatre building. The Theatre's concept, as presented, is a politically hegemonic and closed concept - said the Mufti.

Photo: Patria

The "Mevlana" Intercultural Center project, he added, has received full support from international officials, who, by supporting this project, will once again focus their efforts on the real integration of Mostar and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

However, federal MP Sanel Kajan (DF), a native of Mostar, is skeptical that anything will come of the construction of this facility, which is planned in the central city zone of Mostar, right next to the location where the Croatian Theatre is being built, and the complex where the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Matica hrvatska... are planned to be located.

- This sign has caused enthusiasm among Mostar Bosniaks, because someone has finally responded to HDZ and the appropriation of Mostar, and the attempt to create the so-called "Croatian capital city".
Kajan: I have a feeling the sign will be removed on Monday

People are going to the site to see with their own eyes that this sign has been erected, because they have been deceived so many times before. We will see. I have a feeling that on Monday, the City services will remove the sign, on the orders of HDZ - Kajan added in a brief statement to Patria.

(D.K.)