Zagreb to get Islamic centre covering 9,000 m²

(Patria) - The Islamic Community in Croatia has launched one of its largest projects, involving the construction of an Educational Centre on 9,000 square metres in the immediate vicinity of the Islamic Centre Zagreb.

In the year marking 110 years since the official recognition of Islam in Croatia, the Islamic Community is launching the project of a new Educational Centre that will include the Islamic Gymnasium, a student dormitory, the Institute for Arabic Language and Islam, and a range of sports and educational facilities.

In the future Educational Centre, the Dr. Ahmed Smajlović Islamic Gymnasium will increase its capacity to 200 students.

In a statement to Hina, the President of the Meshihat of the Islamic Community in Croatia, Mufti Academician Aziz ef. Hasanović, said that the existing spatial and technical conditions are no longer sufficient for the school's needs and that this is the main reason for launching the project.

- The current capacity and technical conditions are insufficient to provide students with the best possible conditions for mastering the curriculum and acquiring new knowledge, which is the greatest motivation for building the new facility - Hasanović emphasised.

He noted that the educational programme will remain aligned with the regulations of the Ministry of Science and Education and that the school will continue to be open to all interested students.

An integral part of the future centre will be the existing Institute for Arabic Language and Islam "Ševko ef. Omerbašić", which Hasanović claims is unique not only in Croatia but also in the wider region.

The Institute conducts verified Arabic language learning programmes, and a significant proportion of its participants are non-Muslims.

- The programmes run by the Institute are intended for everyone, and the fact that about half of the participants, and in some groups even more, are not Muslims or had no prior contact with the Arabic language speaks volumes about the openness of this institution as well.

Furthermore, our Institute is recognised by state bodies and provides educational services in this segment to all those for whom such education is useful or necessary for performing their duties more effectively - said Hasanović.

In addition to the aforementioned content, the new Educational Centre will include a sports hall, an amphitheatre for lectures and presentations, specialised classrooms, and spaces necessary for the administrative functioning of the school and centre.

The architectural design of the future centre was selected through a public competition, to which 19 entries were submitted. The highest-rated solution was offered by architects Hrvoje Bilandžić and Davor Plavšić, with visualisation associate Roman Krajcarz.

According to the current project timeline, construction is most likely expected to begin next year, after the completion of all necessary procedures and the obtaining of a building permit.

The centre will be built on a 9,000-square-metre plot of land located east of the existing Islamic Centre, which was purchased from the City of Zagreb through a public competition.

- The process took quite a long time due to the prescribed procedure. However, my satisfaction is all the greater because the entire process was concluded in a transparent manner - said Hasanović.

When asked about the total value of the investment, Hasanović replied that it is still too early to discuss it, as "all items in the cost estimate are still being tallied".

However, the costs incurred so far for the purchase of land, design, and meeting the conditions for obtaining a building permit, which is yet to be secured, are borne by the Islamic Community in Croatia itself, with the help of donations.

The mufti has previously called on believers to contribute with donations of 250 euros or 1,000 euros, through which they acquire the status of waqif, i.e., donor.

When asked whether he expects the Republic of Croatia and the City of Zagreb to provide financial assistance for the construction of the Educational Centre, Hasanović noted that it is still too early to discuss future support.

- This is one of the most significant projects for the community, which is special given the future users and purpose, as well as the future additional contribution to the development of society, both through the integration of new members and through the joint education of those who will attend it.

That is why it is important to us that this project, even through the construction process itself, connects different people, that through the building we build and strengthen relationships with everyone, so that tomorrow will be better for all of us - Hasanović emphasised.

Finally, he added that due to the positive experience so far, he is "convinced that everyone will help according to their available means".