The central manifestation of the opening of the Arnaudija Mosque in Banja Luka, 31 years after its demolition, begins today at 11 a.m. in Banja Luka with the presence of a large number of believers and guests.
Source: Vedran Ševčuk
Security measures were raised to a higher level, and immediately before this event, a meeting was held between the Minister of Internal Affairs of the RS Sinisa Karan and the Director of the Police of the RS Sinisa Kostrešević with the representatives of the PU Banjaluka.
Banja Luka’s streets around Arnaudija are closed to traffic, cafes in the immediate vicinity are closed, and alcohol is prohibited in several nearby restaurants.
It was previously announced that between 5,000 and 10,000 guests are expected to attend.
As announced, today’s event will be attended by a large number of dignitaries, including the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, President of the Directorate for Religious Affairs of Turkey Ali Erbas, Director of the General Waqf Directorate of Turkey Sinan Aksu, Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH Sevlid Hurtić, reisul-ulema of the Islamic community in BiH Husein ef. Kavazović, Mayor of Banja Luka Draško Stanivuković, director of the Vakuf Directorate of BiH Senaid Zajimović and others.
Before the start of the central manifestation of the opening of Arnaudija: Thousands of guests arrive, increased security measures
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Arnaudija reopens its doors for the faithful symbolically on May 7th, on Dan mosque, which is commemorated when it was mined together with the Ferhadija mosque on that day in 1993. The perpetrators have not been discovered to date.
Arnaudija is also known as Defterdaria. It was originally built in 1595.
According to historical data, the builder of the Arnaudi Mosque was Hasan-defterdar, the Minister of Finance of the Bosnian Pashaluq.
This mosque is the last to be restored of the 16 mosques in the area of Majlis from Banja Luka that were demolished.
The foundation stone for its reconstruction was laid on April 22, 2017, and for the past seven years it has been reconstructed in an authentic style with incorporated elements of the old Arnaudia. Its reconstruction cost about six million KM.
A comprehensive program is planned for today’s event.
Hafiz Muamer ef will deliver the welcoming speech. Okanović, chief imam of Banja Luka, mayor Draško Stanivuković and other officials. This will be followed by speeches by representatives of the Waqf Directorates of Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as state officials. By the message of reisul-ulama Husein ef. Kavazović’s ceremony enters the final part.
After the joint midday prayer, the gates of the harem and the doors of the mosque will be open from 2 p.m., when everyone who is interested will be able to visit it.
(World)