On the 100th anniversary of Alija Izetbegović's birth, a fountain in the park that will bear his name is put into operation

(Patria) - In the park near the Istiklal Mosque and the pool in Otoka, a fountain was symbolically put into operation today, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of the first President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović, and as part of the fountain, the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina was raised, completing this beautifully arranged space.

The flag was raised by the Mayor of Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality, Semir Efendić, and the Chairman of the Novi Grad Municipal Council, Jasmin Šošić, and the event was attended by representatives of the Islamic Community of Sarajevo with the chief imam Abdulgafar ef. Velić, councilors of the Municipal and City Councils, members of local community councils, and other visitors.

Mayor Semir Efendić said that the Novi Grad Municipality last year arranged the area near the pool and the Istiklal Mosque, the green area, as well as a new parking area. He added that a building construction was previously planned there, but that it was canceled by a correction of the regulatory plan, so it remained a park green area.

“Today we are opening a fountain here, in the center of which is a mast with the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina. What is interesting is that at the last session of the Municipal Council, a Decision was adopted to propose to the Canton Assembly that this park be named after Alija Izetbegović, the first President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who was born on August 8, exactly 100 years ago. He was the one who, in 1997, laid the cornerstone for the construction of this mosque, which has become the central place of this area, and he was also someone who was responsible for the donation and funds that came then to build this mosque. This should be the first space in our municipality, which is a large municipality with over 140,000 inhabitants, and it should have something that reminds us of our first president. We hope and expect that the rest of the procedure for naming the park at the Sarajevo Canton Assembly will be completed as soon as possible, so that the park bears the name as proposed by the Novi Grad Municipal Council. It is a nice and pleasant space, already used by our citizens, especially in the evening hours, and the fountain has completed and beautified this space,” stated Mayor Efendić.

The special symbolism of this space is also given by the fact that Alija Izetbegović himself laid the cornerstone for the construction of the Istiklal Mosque in 1997, which further connects his personality with this location.

“We gathered today on the centenary of the birth of the first President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović, symbolically to open and put into operation a fountain, which will be called Alija Izetbegović. Recently, at the Municipal Council, we adopted a Decision, i.e., voted on the proposal of the local community, that this space be named after Alija Izetbegović. We consider this significant also because in 1997, President Alija Izetbegović laid the cornerstone for the Istiklal Mosque, which is located right in this area,” stated Chairman Šošić.

The park, built by the Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality as a meeting place, will be a space that will permanently remind of the character and work of Alija Izetbegović.

Through this park, the Novi Grad Municipality aims to permanently preserve the memory of the late president and provide future generations with a space where they can learn about his vision, struggle, and contribution to the building of our independent homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina.