The event 506th Days of Ajvatovica was opened last night at Musalla in Prusac near Donji Vakuf. The beginning of this religious, cultural and sports event was made official by the Vice-President of FBiH Melika Mahmutbegović.
“Ajvatovica points to the spiritual path which instructs us to do better and reminds us that we must be always ready for new challenges and temptations on that path. That is why it is important to take advantage of every opportunity, including this one, to remind that we must jointly, in unity, with persistence, work and faith fight for a better world, for a more comfortable and more peaceful live of Bosniaks and all other people of good will who live here,” said Mahmutbegović.
Prime Minister of the Central Bosnia Canton Tahir Lendo and Mufti of Travnik Ahmed Effendi Adilović also pointed to the significance of preserving the tradition of Ajvatovica.
“Motto of this year’s Ajvatovica is ‘Preserving identity by cherishing tradition’. In this way, we want to send a message that we have a bright tradition that we must be proud of. This tradition must be cherished in order to preserve our identity and the identity of our younger generations, who are facing different challenges in the era of globalization,” Mufti Adilović said.
Within this event, numerous minor events will be organized in the coming days at the territory of the Central Bosnia Canton, Livno and Tomislavgrad.
Central event of this year’s Days of Ajvatovica will be on May 29, when a large number of believers from BiH and abroad will head from Prusac toward the Ajvaz Dedo’s rock.
Ajvatovica tradition is over 500 years old. Legend says that a prominent scholar from Prusac, Ajvaz Dedo, prayed 40 morning prayers, beseeching Allah to give water to the residents of Prusac.
While praying, Ajvaz Dedo fell asleep and dreamt about the collision of two white rams, and how the rock split from the force of that collision. He woke up next to the split rock where water appeared. In memory of Ajvaz Dedo’s prayer, Muslims from around the world visit Prusac every year.
(Source: radiosarajevo.ba)
