Preserving Bosnian and Muslim identity is only possible through the protection of state institutions, it was said at today’s central ceremony of this year’s “514th Days of Ajvatovica” event.
After passing through Ajvaz-dedo’s rock, performing the noon prayer, reciting the prayer on the plateau, the central ceremony of the cultural and religious event “514 days of Ajvatovia” was held today in the presence of thousands of believers.
A total of 313 horsemen, who the day before from Karaula and other BiH towns headed towards Prusac and on the way passed through Donji Vakuf, where they were welcomed by thousands of citizens, this morning after the traditional flag raising in front of the Handanaga mosque in Prusac, they headed towards the largest Muslim destination in Europe. Vahid Kablar was the oldest rider this year, while Arman Suvlić from Zenica was the youngest rider.
Horsemen, bajraktars and numerous believers from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina visited the foot of Mount Šuljaga, seven kilometers from the old town of Prusac. There, according to beliefs, scholar Ajvaz-dedo prayed to God for water for 40 acres. And, in memory of his answered prayer, thanks to which the Prussian got water, the faithful have been visiting this area for more than five centuries.
The audience was especially delighted by the performance of the traditional Turkish military orchestra “Mehter”, otherwise an orchestra from the Turkish Ministry of Defense, as well as scholars from BiH and Turkey.
After the address and the program, the midday prayer was performed and a prayer was recited. The afternoon prayer was preceded by a cultural and artistic program.
The Bajraktars, representatives of the congregation from Bosnia and Herzegovina responsible for carrying the flags, who carried the flags towards the Ajvatovica plateau, were followed by hundreds of visitors to this event from Bosnia and Herzegovina, AA writes.
Ajvatovica is the largest Muslim settlement in Europe and one of the oldest in BiH. It is deeply rooted in the identity of Bosniaks. It is located at the foot of the Šuljaga mountain and seven kilometers from the old town of Prusac. Ajvatovica is the specificity of Bosnian Muslims, because it has an autochthonous character.
It is not known for sure when the first expedition to Ajvatovica took place, but it is known that Ajvatovica was named after Ajvaz-deda, an Islamic scholar and dervish who came to Bosnia in the 15th century from what is now Turkey. After 1947, the maintenance of Ajvatovica was prohibited, and the tradition was restored in 1990. The jubilee, 500th event, was held in June 2010.
Ajvaz Dedo, a dervish and Islamic scholar who in the 15th century settled in the area of today’s Prusac, after a long drought in this place, prayed for 40 days and 40 nights asking for water on the rocky area above the kasaba. According to legends about Ajvaz-dedo, on the fortieth night after arriving at the dovište, the rock split, and water flowed from it, which even today visitors to Ajvaz Dedo’s rock have the opportunity to taste.
Today, Ajvatovica is a meeting place for tens of thousands of Muslims from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, Europe and Asia
