From Independence Day to Statehood Day, spiritual strength on Igman in a joint prayer for the homeland

(Patria) - On the plateau of the War Mosque on Igman, the central religious event – Prayer for the Homeland, as part of the
manifestation "Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Igman 2025 – From Independence Day to Statehood Day", for the jubilee, the twenty-fifth time, gathered hundreds of citizens, veterans, families of martyrs and fallen soldiers, youth, and high delegations from military, religious, and political life, in remembrance of the heroic days of struggle for freedom and defense of the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also to express a commitment towards its bright and secure future.

Before the start of the central part of the religious program, delegations, starting at 10 AM, laid flowers and recited fatiha, and in other appropriate ways, paid tribute at the cemeteries and memorials Veliko polje, Mrazište, and Brezovača.

Flowers were laid on behalf of the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Željko Komšić, by General Sifet Podžić, then by the delegation of the 2nd Infantry (Ranger) Regiment of the Armed Forces of BiH, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Kemal Ademović, the delegation of the Organizing Committee of the Defense of BiH – Igman 2025 manifestation, which included Brigadier General of the Army of RBiH Rizvo Pleh, Mirza Terzo on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Veterans and Disabled of the Homeland War, Deputy Director of the Memorial Center Sarajevo,
Mirsad Delalić, and Assistant Minister for Veterans' Affairs of Sarajevo Canton Osman Smajlović.

Then, delegations of Sarajevo Canton and Tuzla Canton, the delegation of Centar Municipality, the Municipal Council of Novo Sarajevo, the Coordination of Veterans' Associations of KS, the Association of Women Soldiers of the Army of RBiH, the Association of Women Soldiers 92-95, the Association of Paraplegics of KS, JOB Stolac, the Organization of Families of Martyrs and Fallen Soldiers of HNK and Kiseljak, and many others. Brigadier General of the Army of RBiH, Rizvo Pleh, also addressed the attendees and gave a historical lesson,
speaking about the military-strategic significance of Igman and the role of soldiers in preserving freedom: - In conditions when the supply of weapons was scarce, people were like magicians. Fierce battles were fought in the wider Igman area, in the zone of responsibility of the 1st Corps, from Rogoj, Grepak, Proskok; the units fought bravely and unfortunately, many died.

Our Presidency conditioned the negotiations on the cessation of aggressor actions in this area. That, and the digging of the Tunnel of Hope, and the possibility for our units to be supplied, and their perseverance, enabled the cessation of the aggressor – these were the words of General Pleh. The program on the plateau of the War Mosque began at 12 PM with the recitation of surahs "Mulk" and "Ya Sin", led by military imams – Chief Imam of the Armed Forces of BiH Haris ef. Hadžić, brigade imams Elvedin ef. Hodžić and Abdusamed ef. Šljivar, and imams from MIZ Sarajevo and MIZ Banovići. Then, the ilahija "O, Igman Mosque" was performed, after which came the reception of the standard-bearers and war flags, with the recitation of takbirs led by Haris ef. Hadžić, and the kasida "Nine Heroes" was performed.

The Chief Imam of the Armed Forces, Haris ef. Hadžić, addressed the attendees, speaking about the symbolism of the flag.

- We carry the flag not only as a state symbol, but also as a trust from our martyrs and fallen soldiers. The flag is our trust, not only material but also spiritual. Everything given to us – homeland, family, faith – is a trust. Future generations will not know what a flag is if they do not know about those who carried it. We teach the youth to respect their ancestors – emphasized the Chief Imam of the BiH Armed Forces Haris ef. Hadžić. During the program, the Military Mufti Nesib ef. Hadžić, also presented an award to the retired military mufti Hadis ef. Pašalić and addressed the attendees:

- Here we are at the war Igman mosque, which was built by Bosniaks, along with others who love Bosnia and Herzegovina; this is the first mosque built in independent BiH, which is why we are here today, to pray for our homeland. Today we are gathered here, aware of the losses, and at the same time proud. There are still enough of us to defend our country if needed. We will come for another hundred years. And remind ourselves – there is no forgetting. Dangers still exist – emphasized Military Mufti Nesib ef. Hadžić, mentioning by name and reminding attendees of the nine heroes of the liberation war and heroes and Golden Lilies of other confessions, such as Čedomir
Domuz and Vinko Šamarlić. The program continued with the ilahija "Bosnia is One, Allah is Truth", and then the ezan by
Abdusamed ef. Šljivar officially marked the Friday prayer.

This year, the Friday prayer was led by the reisu-l-ulema (1998-2012) of the Islamic Community in BiH, emeritus, academician Mustafa ef. Cerić, while the khutbah was delivered by hafiz, Professor Dr. Melvudin ef. Dizdarević, Mufti of Zenica, who in his khutbah emphasized the significance of the war Igman mosque, a stage of our recent history, and the people who defined it:

- We built this mosque with the strength of faith, a faith without which there would have been no victory. Although modest in architectural terms, it is monumental in its symbolic significance. It is important because of the symbolic potential woven into it and important because of the victory. The city and the country as a whole were defended here. It is a symbol of the perseverance of the Bosnian man. The defense of Igman in 1993 showed our character and strength. We showed that we are aware of collective interests and common goals, and the strength to stand in one row, firm as a rampart – said hafiz Dr. Mevludin ef. Dizdarević in his khutbah.

After the Friday prayer, the attendees jointly recited the traditional Prayer for the Homeland of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Bosnian, led by the retired Military Mufti, Hadis ef. Pašalić, through which we jointly express hope and prayer for the well-being, prosperity, peace, progress, and stability of our homeland and all its citizens, and invoke the memory and offer prayers for all the sons and daughters of Bosnia and Herzegovina who gave their most valuable – their lives – so that we can live today in freedom and in our own, independent state.

"...Our Lord, who made our homeland so beautiful, and showered countless blessings upon it, and raised mountains, hills, and peaks upon it; adorned it with forests, meadows, and rivers; we pray to You, our Lord, to make it safe and free for all noble people who live in it. Amen...."

At the end of the program, the war flags were seen off with takbirs, and then the attendees could perform nafila prayer in the mosque. Lunch was provided for all guests – traditional military beans.

The Prayer for the Homeland is a confirmation that the culture of remembrance lives, that the truth about the defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be forgotten, and that the spirit of Igman and the symbolic place where the first mosque was built in independent and internationally recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina, where we gather from all its parts, will remain a beacon for our future. This traditional event remains a strong expression of unity, dignity, and the spiritual strength of a people who remembers, preserves, and believes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.