Waqf Directorate: If those in charge had their way, the Archaeological Park of the Kalin Hadži Alija Mosque would not exist, and today they boast about it

(Patria) - The Waqf Directorate of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina today publicly thanked all partners who contributed to the completion of the second phase of the Archaeological Park of the remains of the Kalin Hadži Alija Mosque in Sarajevo, but also clearly stated that this is a project initiated by the Islamic Community, and that had it not been for that, today there would be a monument to Franc Prešeren, a respected poet, at that site, which absolutely cannot be linked in any way to that location.

Therefore, as the Waqf Directorate states in its press release, it is very unusual and concerning that the Municipality of Centar Sarajevo, which together with the Government of Sarajevo Canton indeed provided the necessary funds for this phase of the project, suddenly attributes all the credit to itself and the Government of Sarajevo Canton.

For the precise information of the public, it is recalled that the Islamic Community was the initiator of all key activities for the preservation of this waqf site, from the initiative to prevent the construction of a monument to the poet Franc Prešeren to the protection of the harem as a sacred space. The Islamic Community also agreed with the Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of Sarajevo Canton and the Municipality of Centar on the implementation of the construction of the Archaeological Park of Kalin Hadži Alija.

„The institutions of the Islamic Community initiated activities to preserve the name of the waqf founder Kalin Hadži Alija, to protect the waqf space from usurpation by some residents of the building built on part of the mosque's harem, and to carry out archaeological research that resulted in the discovery of 40 graves of well-known Sarajevo families, a mekteb, a shadrvan, and other remains of the mosque,“ the press release states.

Also, as stated, the Islamic Community has been the bearer of all works since 2012, despite numerous challenges, including resolving infrastructure issues related to the installations of Elektroprivreda, BH Telecom, and the gas pipeline, which during the socialist period passed through the waqf plot, through the bones of the deceased, over the foundations of waqf buildings. The archaeological research initiated by the Islamic Community confirmed that the cemetery was never exhumed.

„Unfortunately, none of the three public companies agreed to relocate their installations. Although the initial funds of the Islamic Community for conservation were originally planned, due to delays in the building permit procedure, those funds were unfortunately lost,“ it adds.

With another thanks to the Government of Sarajevo Canton and the Municipality of Centar, who enabled the financing of the second phase of conservation and ensured the continuation of works and the protection of the cultural and historical heritage of this site, the institutions of the Islamic Community also pointed out certain problems.

„During the implementation of the conservation, we encountered disagreements regarding the preservation of the authenticity of the site. The contractor, following instructions from the Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of Sarajevo Canton and the Municipality of Centar, built a wall over the mihrab and the corner of the mosque, despite the opposition of the Islamic Community. In this way, the religious building was desacralized by cutting the mosque, minaret, and part of the right sofa with a retaining wall. This also made the foundations of the mosque partially invisible in their actual dimensions, which compromised the integrity of the historical space,“ the Waqf Directorate explained.

The Sarajevo Muftiship, the Waqf Directorate, and the Majlis of the Islamic Community Sarajevo did not accept the conservation of the site in this manner and repeatedly requested that the mosque foundations be fully visible.

„Despite all efforts to find a compromise solution, we did not receive understanding from the other side, and considering that this is a nationalized waqf property, we were formally unable to do anything more. The current implementation of the project is being carried out without the consent of the institutions of the Islamic Community,“ the press release of the Waqf Directorate states.

Finally, the Waqf Directorate once again reiterated that it will never give up on the site and the implementation of the third phase of the project, which is the construction of a mosque in the scope and size that will be possible.

„In that context, we will take all legally available measures to fulfill our obligation to the waqf founder and this site,“ the press release states, recalling that the project received support from the Municipal Council of Centar Sarajevo in 2014, as well as from the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.