Mosque Opened in Oplećani: A Place Where Souls Are Healed and Sin is Left at the Door

(Patria) - After six years of diligent work, the Oplećani community and the Tomislavgrad Medžlis are now graced by a beautiful mosque, which was officially opened today.

The Mufti of Bihać, hafiz Mehmed-ef. Kudić, the envoy of the Reis-ul-Ulama of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein-ef. Kavazović, at this event, told the present believers that for Muslims, a mosque is more than just a building.

– They are places of worship, where through prayer and reading the Quran, we draw closer to our Lord. Mosques are also places of learning, where through maktab and lectures, we are educated, spiritually grow, and are morally shaped. Mosques are places of gathering, where a spirit of community, mutual support, and Islamic brotherhood is built – said Mufti Kudić.

He stated that a Muslim can pray to the Lord of the worlds even in their home, but worship in a mosque is more valuable because in God's house, one confirms their belonging to the community, the collective, and the ummah.

– Wherever you see a mosque, a church, or any temple, know that there are good people among that nation. Evil people do not build places of worship; on the contrary, they wait for times of crisis to destroy them. A mosque must leave a mark on a person; we leave it better than we entered – emphasized Kudić.

Ramiz-ef. Memić, the imam of the Oplećani community, stated that today is a great day for his community.

– A mosque is not just a building; it is a living place; it lives as long as our hearts live within it. It is a school where we learn how to be better people, a place where souls are healed, where sin is left at the door, and peace is brought in – said Memić.

The chief imam of the Tomislavgrad Medžlis, Amer-ef. Jugo, emphasized that Muslims in this city are proud of their mosque and expressed hope that future generations will be raised in it and that it will be a place for the development of our youth.

– As the chief imam, I must mention that our Medžlis was first in the last maktab competition at the level of the Muftiship of Mostar, and that our children were ahead of other, larger Medžlises – added Jugo.

He told the present believers to engage in every good deed when given the opportunity, whether it concerns mosques in Kupres, Trebinje, or other places, because it will benefit all of us, both in this world and the next.

The envoy of the Mufti of Mostar, Salem-ef. Dedović, the director of Karađoz-beg Madrasa, Aid-ef. Tulek, conveyed greetings from the Mufti and said that the Creator has inspired us to do good, wherever we are.

– Especially in our time, dear brothers and sisters, where people today, in this globalization, live all over the world, where people should be free, where they have the right to practice their faith, to express their identity, and to preserve their values and their distinctiveness. Our community has shown practice in this regard, and we can freely, with clear souls and bright faces, be an example to all people, and so it will be, God willing, in the future. Therefore, we must protect our institutions, our community, our scholars, and above all, our freedom. Because freedom is the foundation of life, freedom is the foundation of education and faith – said Tulek.

He added that we Bosniaks, in our homeland, have complete freedom and that we must be grateful to God for that.

– That freedom has nurtured our authentic ulema, scholars who lead us and protect the freedom and dignity of our people – stated Tulek.