Islamic Center 'Sultan Ahmed' opened in Zenica in the presence of guests and investors from Kuwait

(Patria) - Today is a great day for the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its well-meaning people - stated the Reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina Husein-ef. Kavazović, addressing numerous dignitaries and guests at the ceremony marking the opening of the "Sultan Ahmed" Islamic Center Zenica.

He assessed the construction of this center as a great achievement, which, with God's help, will fulfill its social, educational, and upbringing functions with quality and for a long time.

Within the 5,500 square meters of indoor space, there are conference halls, a large library with a reading room, a kindergarten, the central Zenica mekteb (religious school), a restaurant, a cafeteria, business premises, restrooms, and other accompanying facilities.

"Today, we as a community are proud. We have stood on our feet and have not lost heart. We are rebuilding and constructing our homeland and producing new intellectual, artistic, and spiritual achievements. The vitality and creativity we are showing fill our hearts with joy and hope," said the Reis-ul-ulema.

He added that the Islamic Center being opened today is a significant waqf (endowment) in our country and represents a strong step forward in the overall development of the Muslim community.

"We are pleased that it is located right in the center of Zenica's urban core, known for its good believers and God-fearing people. They will benefit the most from it. This center is also the result of our understanding of the times and circumstances in which we live and our endeavor to protect ourselves and our children from the negative influences to which we are exposed daily. Previously, we had mosques and mektebs as our only infrastructure, the only channel through which we could express ourselves; now, thank God, we have infrastructure that meets other needs - social, cultural, educational, etc., and which will continue to expand," said the Reis-ul-ulema.

He emphasized that today we are witnessing a wave of endowments.

"Our believers, thank God, have an exceptionally developed awareness of the common good and want to contribute to it. Because a waqf is a good deed, a lasting charity, and one of the three ways a person continues to receive rewards even after leaving this world, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us," said the Reis-ul-ulema.

He noted that the Islamic Community, within its administrative structures, is investing great effort in making these waqf properties functional, protecting them, and improving them.

"This gives us the opportunity to extend a hand and help a large number of people in need, institutions and organizations that care for the neglected, dependent, and sick, as well as students who are on the bright path of acquiring knowledge," emphasized the Reis-ul-ulema.

He stated that waqfs are a great responsibility and a great opportunity, as they achieve God's mercy, alleviate human suffering, offer a helping hand, and give additional impetus to civilizational development.

"The center we are opening today will strongly contribute to this by educating and nurturing people who will be aware of the importance of helping others and meeting the needs of those whom life brings into difficult situations. May Almighty Allah bless this building and may it produce people of high moral values, intellectually enriched, spiritually aware, and socially useful," said the Reis-ul-ulema.

He stated that the construction of the Islamic Center in Zenica is not only a success for the Islamic Community but for the entire social community.

"We are all winners today, and we all have the right to rejoice in this achievement and be happy about it. It confirms our belief that every good deed that is started with a sincere intention is completed with God's help and His blessings. We have learned that the strength and God's help lie in the community of believers united around a common idea and goal. We have learned that faith in God and the joint work of Muslims from Bosnia and Kuwait connect people, time, and space," said the Reis-ul-ulema.

He expressed great gratitude to our brothers from Kuwait, a large number of their humanitarian organizations, and especially the General Secretariat of the Waqfs of the State of Kuwait.

"This is just one of their endowments in our country, and there are dozens of them.

I ask our brothers, and especially the Secretary-General of the Waqfs, Nasir el-Hamed, to convey our sincere greetings, respect, and gratitude to the people and government of the brotherly State of Kuwait. May Allah reward them abundantly for this waqf they have gifted to their brothers in Bosnia, and may He protect their country from insecurity and trials," said the Reis-ul-ulema.

On this occasion, he also praised the Medžlis Zenica and the Mufti's Office of Zenica, the presidents and chief imams, Muftis Ejub Dautović and Mevludin Dizdarević, and the Director of the Waqf Directorate, Senaid Zaimović, for their vision and realization of the Islamic Center in Zenica.

"It is time to close ranks. Let us put aside our disagreements and quarrels. This is our country, all of ours equally. Let us be ready to protect it at every step, and let every citizen of it be sacred to us. Many sons of Bosnia and Herzegovina laid down their lives for it; it was everything to them, and it is an oath for us that must not be betrayed. We took our oath to Bosnia long ago; now we are just reminding ourselves of it. Peace is our prayer and our greeting to all good people, and our oath and our life are our determination and pledge for it. To the people of this city, but also to all others, I congratulate you on this gain. May this center always be a nursery of healthy and constructive ideas and may great people mature within it. May it be the pride and glory of our country and our people. Amen," concluded the Reis-ul-ulema.