MINED IN 1992. The renovated Dugalić Mosque in Nevesinje to be ceremonially opened on April 26

(Patria) - The renovated Dugalić Mosque in Nevesinje will be ceremonially opened on Sunday, April 26, with the presence of numerous officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the friendly Republic of Turkey.

On this occasion, the mufti of Mostar Salem-ef. Dedović and the director of the Vakuf Directorate of BiH Huso Salihović today exchanged views with the Mayor of Nevesinje Municipality Milenko Avdalović on the significance of the renovation of this religious building, as well as its role in preserving cultural and historical heritage and strengthening social and interreligious relations.

The meeting was also attended by the president and chief imam of the Islamic Community Council Nevesinje Šerif Kujan and Mehmed-ef. Čopelj.

The completion of the renovation of the Dugalić Mosque, as noted by mufti Dedović, is the result of years of engagement and cooperation between various institutions.

He emphasized that the visit to the mayor was aimed at extending a formal invitation and securing the support of the local community for this event, an event that is important for all of Nevesinje, for Bosniaks, Serbs, and all citizens of this town.

– We have open doors and good cooperation, exceptionally good will from the municipal authorities led by Mayor Avdalović, and we have expressed high support from the Serbian Orthodox Church when it comes to the renovation project of this beautiful mosque, an exceptional monumental object of Islamic culture in the center of the bazaar, located in close proximity to the Orthodox church in the center of Nevesinje – stated the mufti.

In this way and with this event, the mufti noted, a beautiful, important, and strong message is being sent about the certainty, possibility, and relevance of living together.

– A life together that has been built and developed on this example, and it is possible, it needs to be given impetus, supported, and developed. I think that on this example of good dialogue and cooperation, a message of connection among all peoples, among religions, and among all people should be conveyed – emphasized the mufti.

He reminded that the Bosniaks of Nevesinje, parallel to the renovation of their homes, also renovated religious buildings, and that the completion of the Dugalić Mosque represents the culmination of that process.

– I am glad, thank God, that this effort, these endeavors, have borne fruit, that we have had good synergy, good support from higher levels of the Islamic Community, primarily the Vakuf Directorate, on these projects of ours. And again, I always want to emphasize, we have had good will and good understanding from the Nevesinje authorities and the Orthodox Church, and from the Serbian people here as a whole – said the mufti.

Reminding that the local community was involved in all activities from the beginning, the Mayor of Nevesinje Milenko Avdalović particularly emphasized the importance of renovating the Clock Tower, a recognizable symbol of the town.

– We are happy about the renovation of these two buildings. The clock tower in Nevesinje is a landmark that was on almost every postcard of Nevesinje, and we are aware of what it means for Nevesinje and that clock that ticked the hours and minutes on the Nevesinje clock tower. As for the Dugalić Mosque, which is located there, as the mufti said, in the city center opposite the Cathedral Church, it is a great symbolism and, it seems to me, a symbolism of togetherness, or of living together, or living next to each other – stated Avdalović.

During the conversation, special attention was paid to the possibilities of further improving cooperation between the local authorities and the institutions of the Islamic Community, with a focus on the implementation of infrastructural and development projects in returnee settlements, as well as on the preservation of cultural heritage.

– Of course, we are looking forward to April 26, the day when the renovated buildings will be ceremonially opened and when many important people for believers will be here in our city, who will come, who will attend this significant date, just as we look forward to every day when we can help returnees to our city. As a local community, we have done everything to ensure that people who return to their ancestral homes get electricity, get water, and renovate their buildings – said Avdalović, among other things.

With the renovation of the Dugalić Mosque and the Clock Tower in Nevesinje, another national monument has been returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina, or rather to the local community, which will contribute to strengthening identity, development, and visitor numbers, i.e., greater circulation of people.

– What is of particular importance is that all stakeholders, contractors, and other participants have shown a high degree of professionalism and understanding, and the act of ceremonial opening itself will be a sufficient indicator of how important this building is – said the director of the Vakuf Directorate Huso Salihović, noting that the program will be organized within this year's Days of Vakuf event.

The renovation of the complex was financed by the General Directorate of Endowments of the Republic of Turkey, making the entire project of inter-state cooperation significance.

– Through this project, the professionalism and friendship of two institutions, the General Directorate of Endowments of the Republic of Turkey and the Vakuf Directorate of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, have been demonstrated. The arrival of a high delegation from Turkey has been announced. They have followed the progress and dynamics of the renovation all along and have been informed of all the details, which speaks volumes about how exceptionally important this project is not only for us but also for them – emphasized Salihović.

The Dugalić Mosque in Nevesinje was built by hadži Velijudin Bakrač in 1515.

Historical sources mention that after its demolition in 1875, it was renovated by Hadžo Dugalić, from whom it is colloquially known as the Dugalić Mosque. Socialist authorities had turned it into a warehouse for trade goods.

It was returned to the possession of the Islamic Community in 1990. It was mined in 1992. The renovation of the complex began with the laying of the foundation stone on May 30, 2022, reports MINA.