Restored Sviračka Mosque ceremonially opened in Gradačac: A symbol of our roots and pride

(Patria) - The restored Sviračka Mosque, considered the oldest preserved building in Gradačac, was ceremonially opened today.

Thousands of believers from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the central program, and the mosque was ceremonially opened by the Rais al-ulama of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein-ef. Kavazović, after he received the keys.

He thanked the community members who, out of gratitude to God, "restored our roots".

– They showed how important every vein in Bosnia is. We cannot give up any mosque, any tombstone, or any inscription, because that is who we are – stated Rais al-ulama Kavazović.

He reminded that our history was written in Gradačac, among other things, by the struggle of Husein-kapetan Gradaščević, and urged that oblivion must not be allowed, as in the case of Captain Gradaščević himself.

– Our son should have been here today. He fought for this people and this land. Fadil Novalić. We in Gradačac will not forget that. This city knows how to remember – added Rais al-ulama.

The Mufti of Tuzla, dr. Vahid-ef. Fazlović, emphasized that the large number of believers who attended the ceremonial opening of the mosque testifies to the importance of this deed.

– This is the mosque of our roots and our pride. It has always had good generations who took care of it. We have reached this time when today's generations decisively achieved this great deed, a significant contribution, and completed the mosque. May it continue to be one of the most beautiful mosques in our Islamic Community – said Mufti Fazlović.

The Chief Imam, Nusret-ef. Kujraković, stated that the restored mosque will be the foundation for spiritual growth in this area.

The value of the mosque restoration project is close to 1,000,000 KM, and the President of the Community Board, Jakub Džinić, thanked all donors, highlighting that the initial funds for the restoration, amounting to 100,000 KM, came from the former Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fadil Novalić.

The City of Gradačac also supported the mosque's restoration, and Mayor Hajrudin Mehanović expressed satisfaction with the pace of the work.

The Government of Tuzla Canton also participated in the restoration project, and Prime Minister Irfan Halilagić, during his address at the ceremony, reminded that hundreds of mosques have been restored across the country since the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

– Let all of this be an additional motivation to further restore our unity, to further strengthen our freedom, to further strengthen our faith in God and trust in each other – said Halilagić.

The reconstruction of the Sviračka Mosque began in February last year, and a partial reconstruction was initially planned due to the dilapidated floor.

During the works, it was determined that the mosque's foundations were on the verge of collapse, so a complete reconstruction was carried out, which also resulted in a basement area beneath the mosque.

In the next period, it is planned to build a museum of Northeastern Bosnia in the basement area.

The Sviračka Mosque is a waqf (endowment) of the Gradaščević family. It was built by Osman-kapetan Gradaščević around 1799.

Together with Husejnija Captain's Mosque, the restored mosque will form a unique complex in the future, which could grow into a significant cultural and historical center and an attractive destination for believers and visitors.