Medžlis Zenica organizes a playroom for children during tarawih prayers for the second year at Sultan Ahmed Islamic Center

(Patria) - For the second year, the Zenica Islamic Community Council has been organizing a playroom for the youngest during the month of Ramadan, for the duration of tarawih prayers.
While adults perform tarawih prayers, the large hall of the "Sultan Ahmed" Islamic Center is filled with children's laughter.

– We mostly organize group games, although we have children of different ages. Some are doing puzzles, playing football, or other games we devise for them – said the educators, to whom parents entrust their children for care as soon as the first call to prayer is heard.

Educators Dalila Zec, Jasmina Faljić, Aldijana Mehmedović, Sara Šehić, Sara Zatagić, Amina Torić, and Amina Džafić ensure that the children's stay proceeds smoothly.

– The activity we are conducting has been well-received by parents, who leave their children in our Center for care during tarawih prayers. This way, even the youngest can experience the charms of Ramadan through what they love most – which is play – emphasize the educators.

Although the Čaršija Mosque is located in the very center of Zenica, parents from various parts of the city gladly come here, so that they too can perform their prayers in peace, and their children can have their own corner.

– Every night of the month of Ramadan, we have between 40 and 50 children of various ages. It is sometimes difficult to gather them in one place, but that is part of their nature – the educators tell us.

Playroom in the "Sultan Ahmed" Islamic Center Zenica (Photo: MINA)
The idea, born last year in the Zenica Council, has slowly become a habit for children and parents, confirming the Council's commitment to activities that will make children love the community and the mosque through play.

It is precisely because of such activities intended for children of all ages that the Zenica Council was the most successful in last year's mekteb (religious education) competition at the level of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

– For years now, the Zenica Council has shown its commitment to the mekteb age group and children who are not yet of that age. We simply want to make this month beloved for them through these and many other activities during the month of Ramadan, so that we do not worry about their future and ours – stated the chief imam of the Zenica Council, Sumedin-ef. Kobilica, for MINA Agency.

The Ramadan activities of the Zenica Council are already well underway, and the chief imam says that all of them are designed for various age groups.

– We welcomed Ramadan with the traditional "little train," and tarawih prayers are performed in all mosques, and mukabels are recited. Of course, the hafiz mukabel in the Sultan Ahmed Mosque should also be highlighted, which has been traditionally recited for over 40 years and is always well-attended – Kobilica said.

Also, this Ramadan, softe (students of Islamic sciences) from madrasas and the Faculty of Islamic Sciences are engaged in the mosques of the Zenica Council.

– Today, we also expect a visit from professors from the Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa from Sarajevo, who will visit their students during their practical training in our communities. I must say that this year's softe are trying to meet the tasks in their communities, and so far we are satisfied, both we and the community members – emphasized Kobilica.

As the chief imam emphasizes, the activities so far in the month of Ramadan have been very successful, but a large number of them are yet to be realized.

– God willing, activities related to the blessed nights of Badr, Feth, and Qadr await us. Also, during the month of Ramadan, we want to show sensitivity towards the most vulnerable in our society and help them within our capabilities – stated Kobilica, adding that the Zenica Council organizes numerous activities year after year to enhance the blessed days of Ramadan for Muslims in this city.