Reis Kavazović: May the renovated Aladža encourage Foča residents to return

The Rais al-Ulama of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein ef. Kavazović, said in Foča today at the opening of the Aladža Mosque that God's temples are repaired by those who fear no one but God.

"In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to God, the One, to whom no one is equal. He who showers us with His mercy. He allows something to seem impossible to us, and then opens vistas of joy, elation due to unexpected paths and opportunities. Peace and blessings be upon His last Prophet and beloved Muhammad, peace be upon him, and all the prophets who acted in truth and encouraged good. These are God's words. God's temples are repaired and built by those who believe in God and this world, who perform prayer and give alms, and who fear no one but God.

They are, we hope, on the right path. Is there any greater oppressor than one who forbids the mention of God's name in God's temples and works to destroy them? Such people should enter them only with fear. In this world, they will face disgrace, and in the hereafter, great suffering, says Almighty God.

Dear brothers and sisters, dear friends, distinguished guests, excellencies and eminences, assalamu alaikum.

- Blessed is this day and blessed is this gathering. We could not have gathered for a better occasion or a better invitation in these times full of challenges and uncertainty. Today we are happy and elated, and today lights of joy and happiness open before us. Today we open Aladža, the heart of Foča, but also of all Eastern Bosnia. We have been sad and worried for too long, and this beautiful city without its symbol, the core around which the bazaar and its numerous neighborhoods revolved. For too long, that veil has been on our eyes, obscuring the horizons of our hope and our light.

We will remember on this occasion that until the beginning of World War II, Foča had 32 mosques, and 17 in the city center itself. And even then, Aladža stood out with its beauty. Many came from the East and the West to see it and admire it. Many wrote about it with enthusiasm, but also about the city and the people who drew from its minbar messages of peace, goodness, and faith. In times of evil, when it too had disappeared, many of its worshipers, those who gathered under its wing, also disappeared. With its reconstruction today, we witness hope that this will change and that good people will once again find their peace and spiritual refreshment in its shade. May the renovation of Aladža strengthen the desire of displaced Foča residents to return and rebuild their homes. May today's image encourage them in this. We are pleased to hear that they also have the support of the local authorities. With the rise of Aladža, Foča is also rising, our Foča, God willing.  

Dear brothers and sisters,

Aladža's builder, the waqf Hasan Nazir, spent his wealth building Foča. In the books we keep in the Gazi Husrev-beg Library in Sarajevo, which he endowed, he signed himself, as well as on most official documents, with the nickname Fočak. He was proud of this city. He felt he owed it and needed to return part of that debt. I believe that numerous Foča residents scattered around the world will see his example as a role model and will repay their debt to this city and their homeland. And I believe that Foča will also find a way to repay its benefactor Hasan, son of Yusuf, who laid the foundations for its development.

Our generation, by renovating his legacy, his charitable work, is returning at least a small part of the right and correcting at least an atom of injustice and oppression. That is all we can do for now.

We are glad that we are not alone in our joy today, just as we were not alone in our sorrow when this beauty was demolished for no reason or justification other than pure hatred and an attempt to falsify history. Its remains were not scattered to multiple locations and buried in mass graves along with its worshipers. We have repaired it, and we will cherish the memory of its innocently killed worshipers and offer prayers to the Almighty to gather them in paradise.

It pains us that the masterminds of its destruction, and of numerous other crimes, along with the direct perpetrators, have not been adequately held accountable, nor has anyone ever asked for forgiveness from us. We, Bosnian Muslims, seek nothing but justice. Today is an indication that good will prevail over evil.

The Bosnian spirit of living together in diversity will survive by God's will. Foča will survive. It will outlive these difficult times of hatred and hostility. Therefore, we are pleased to hear that there are far more people in Foča who mourned Aladža when the villains destroyed it, just as there are many who rejoice in its renovation today. The past cannot be changed, but we must learn from it. The future cannot be predicted; it can be planned, and work must be done in that regard. And our plan is to live here and live in peace. Therefore, it is important to view everything that happens as processes and always ask ourselves on which side of history we are. Are we among those who build, or those who destroy, who unite people or divide them, who reconcile them or set them against each other.

History has remembered the name of Aladža's designer and builder, Ramadan Aga, a student of the great Sinan Aga. It will also remember this generation that has returned its symbol to Foča. There are numerous names we will remember, from the mufti of Goražde Hamed ef. Efendić, the US ambassador Thomas Miller, to our brothers from Turkey, and especially our brother Adnan Erten, director of the Directorate of Waqfs of the Republic of Turkey.

The list of all those who should be mentioned here would be too long. But we will ensure that their efforts are not forgotten in this world. And what awaits them with their Lord is more lasting than any worldly recognition. 

Brothers and sisters, 

Finally, allow me to thank you all, especially our brothers from the Republic of Turkey, its President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the government, without whom we would not have completed this work. All representatives of religious communities, state officials at all levels of government, the diplomatic corps, and all of you. I sincerely thank you for your willingness to join us in our joy.

Ramadan is ahead of us. It will be easier for us to fast knowing that the lamps will shine again at Aladža and that the muezzin's voice will be heard from its minaret. This is the best Ramadan gift and the best pledge for our future," said Kavazović.