Reis Kavazović: Islam is the natural habitat of Bosnian Muslims, those who cannot understand this have a problem with themselves

(Patria) - The newly built Ahi Evran Veli Kiršehir mosque in Olovo was officially opened today with the presence of a large number of believers from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and guests from the Republic of Turkey. The ceremony was attended by the Rais al-ulama of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Husein-ef. Kavazović, who emphasized that mosques are a special adornment of our
cities.

“Today we are opening this mosque in Olovo, on the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who came as a Mercy to the worlds. With special enthusiasm and joy, we always remember this, certainly one of the most important events in human history. Today, in this beautiful city, we are adorning it with the joy of opening this mosque, a building in which new generations of our people will celebrate all their joys in freedom and dignity,” said the Rais al-ulama, whose address we convey in full.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Him for the mercy He grants us, for the joys He gives us, for the good in which we live. May peace and blessings be upon His Prophet and all believers until the Day of Judgment. We ask Him to have mercy on all believers, especially the good martyrs of Bosnia.

Your Excellencies and Eminences, respected imams, dear guests and friends, brothers and sisters, es-selamu alejkum ve rahmetullahi ve berekatuhu.

In this ancient place, in a city full of history and heroism, we meet today with full hearts with our brothers and friends, with guests who have come from afar. Today, with you, the people of this city, we share the joy of success and friendship, born on the foundations of faith and brotherhood.

This day, September 15, 2024, will be remembered as an important historical date in the history of this city.

Today, in this beautiful city, we are adorning it with the joy of opening this mosque, a building in which new generations of our people will celebrate all their joys in freedom and dignity.

Houses in which people humbly pray to their Lord and monuments of culture are landmarks for the recognition and memory of cities and environments; they are what attract and call people, what they admire and for which they visit.

The mosque is the fundamental symbol of Islamic culture and civilization. It is a place where people gather, address the Almighty together, nurture the values of their culture, socialize, make friends, and – help each other.

When the Prophet came to Medina, he established at the same time a city mosque and a market: one for this world, the other for the Hereafter. Therefore, we always rejoice in every newly built or renovated mosque in our country, and in every economic facility
that we erect and in which people can earn their bread to support themselves and their
families.

With the same fervor, we rejoice in this Ahi Evran Veli Kiršehir mosque, which, along with its accompanying facilities, was largely built by our brothers from Turkey: the twin city of Olovo, Kiršehir, and the Turkiye Diyanet Vakfı foundation.

May Almighty Allah reward them with His reward. They are handing us this mosque today as a gift, for us to cherish and care for it. And we will, God willing!

Brothers and sisters.

In the aggression against our country, Olovo bore a great sacrifice. The martyrs and veterans of this city defended their homeland and gave us freedom. We must never forget that.
The city suffered destruction and devastation, but its people did not destroy sacred sites: the places of worship of our Orthodox and Catholic fellow citizens remained untouched. They remained devoted to their faith, which instilled in them the deep awareness that the sacred sites of others should be protected as one's own.

We Muslims will never retaliate in kind. We believe that under this sky, people should live in peace, love, and respect each other. It is important that we respect the faith of all our citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Islamic faith, which we love the most, is ours, and we have never forced anyone to convert to it. We have always said as the Quran has taught us: "To you your religion, and to us our religion."

Therefore, from Olovo, we want to convey this message: Islam is the natural habitat of us Bosnian Muslims. Those who cannot understand this do not have a problem with us and with Islam; they have a problem with themselves and their faith. If they respect their own faith, they will respect others. And ours, just as we respect their faiths.

We have pledged to God that we will not destroy the places of worship of other faiths. That is forbidden to us. However, we hope that our mosques will no longer be destroyed, and that they will also be forbidden to others.


Olovo did not have a mosque in the modern urban center of the city. Today, that picture is changing, that void is being filled, and a new general social environment is emerging. The purpose of a mosque is to return man to God and to himself, because he who has forgotten God will remain in eternal divine oblivion.

As long as man remains within the boundaries set by God, he is at peace with other creatures, people, plants, and animals, and lives in a friendly environment full of mercy, love, and warmth. When he steps outside that framework, he comes into conflict with others. Our old scholars used to say: "He who breaks the connection with the Dear God, God replaces the pleasantness of communion with Him with the unpleasantness of separation!"

Modern man increasingly breaks this sacred bond, and here he is: facing the unpleasantness of separation from God. He is aggressive, ruthless, brutal, and violent, and this is returned to him in equal measure. If we continue with such actions, we will lose everything and face catastrophic consequences. Let no one doubt this.

The world is a coherent whole, and man, as its central point, can be integrated into it only if he acts according to what God has told him. Only in that case will he be in full peace with other beings and in harmony with the laws of nature. Because we learn from a young age: "Allahumma antas-selamu wa minkes-selam – You, O God, are peace, and from You comes peace."

Our greatest worldly sanctuary in this beautiful land of ours is peace. Therefore, let us spread peace wherever we are and with whomever we meet. This mosque, God willing, will revive forgotten truths and strengthen preserved ones, bring people closer, and make their lives more beautiful and pleasant. Just as it has brought together and connected two cities – Olovo and Kiršehir – and twinned people from those cities, so too will it bring people closer in this place and in this land, and awaken faith, hope, love, and compassion in them, to the joy of all.

Brothers and sisters!

We want to stay here, build our country, have children, and live with the people of our country, regardless of their religious affiliation. In order to live in peace and harmony with each other, it is essential that we respect each other.

This further means that we will respect each other's places of worship, but also that we will be there for each other, especially when we are in difficulty, and that we will be a comfort to each other, not a threat.

Therefore, let churches and other places of worship of our fellow citizens be in peace alongside our mosques. No one should leave this beautiful country, which the Almighty has blessed with many goods. Bosnia is wide enough for everyone, and no one should take anything from anyone. And everyone can, and should, have a good life in it. We invite those who have gone abroad to return to their Bosnia. This is a beautiful country, and even difficulties in it can be sweeter than life abroad, which, no matter how easier it may be, can be more bitter.

I would like to thank our brothers from Turkey, who have allocated their funds to give us this beautiful mosque as a gift. I would also like to thank our people who participated in its construction. For all of them, this is "sadaka jarija" – charity from which rewards flow as long as this good deed lasts and fulfills its role.

O God, accept from everyone who has allocated funds for it in Your Name, or otherwise participated in its construction.

O God, bless this mosque and bestow Your mercy upon it. May it be dear to people and may they find peace and solace in it. May children learn truths in it and grow into good people. Bless this city and this region and protect it from all evil and disaster.