Two schools opened in Syria, financed by 'Merhamet' and the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina after the earthquake

(Patria) - In the cities of Soran and Çobanbey, Syria, which were heavily destroyed in the catastrophic earthquake, two primary schools were ceremonially opened, financed by the Muslim Charity organization "Merhamet" and the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina.



The construction of these two school buildings was also supported by the Bosnian cities of Visoko, Jajce, and Travnik. The ceremonial opening of the schools was attended by the President of HO "Merhamet" MDD Kenan Vrbanjac, Secretary General Sidik Aždahić, and the Mayor of Visoko Mirza Ganić.

- The construction of the schools in Soran and Çobanbey cost 152,520 US dollars, or 277,335 convertible marks. "Merhamet" also provided funds for equipping the schools, i.e., purchasing necessary school furniture. Both schools are named "Bosnia and Herzegovina," out of gratitude from the local authorities and residents of that area towards our country and its citizens who showed solidarity with the earthquake victims – said Kenan Vrbanjac.

According to him, the capacity of the school in Soran is 1,050 students, and the school in Çobanbey is 480 students.



- Most of the students attending these schools are orphans, i.e., children without one or both parents, which particularly motivated us to enable them to attend school in new facilities – emphasized Vrbanjac.

Exactly one year ago, "Merhamet" signed an agreement with the Turkish partner organization IHH for the construction of the two aforementioned schools, followed by 42 houses for earthquake survivors, and one mosque. The value of the entire project is around three million convertible marks, of which the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina provided 2.1 million.

Vrbanjac pointed out that the completion of the construction of 42 houses in the city of Idlib, on an area of about 25 dunams, is expected in August, and the completion of the mosque by the end of this year.

- We are very grateful to the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by Reis-ul-ulema Husein ef. Kavazović, for entrusting "Merhamet" once again, and for us to have jointly undertaken such a demanding, yet very important and humanitarian project.

We are also grateful to the Bosnians and Herzegovinians who made a huge contribution to all of this and once again showed that they have big hearts, that they are always ready to lend a helping hand to people in need – concluded Vrbanjac.

He reminded that "Merhamet" and the Islamic Community immediately engaged in collecting aid for Turkey and Syria after the catastrophic earthquake.