The Islamic Community in BiH marks the 7th of May as the Day of mosques, in memory of the day in 1993 when the largest and most famous Banja Luka mosque – Ferhadija was demolished.
That day is marked as the day of remembrance on 614 mosques that were destroyed during the aggression on BiH.
According to the data of Islamic Community of BiH, a total of 218 masjids (Space for performing prayers), 69 mektebs (Islamic primary school), 4 tekijas, 37 tombs and 405 other facilities were destroyed as well.
In the territory controlled by the Army of Republika Srpska was demolished a total of 534 mosques, while on the territory that was controlled by the HVO was destroyed 80 of them. More than 80 % of the 1,144 mosques, which existed in BiH before 1992, were destroyed or damaged.
The reconstructed Ferhat Pasha’s Mosque in Banja Luka, better known as Ferhadija, was opened on May 7th2016.
The beauty of Banja Luka was built in 1579 and destroyed in 1993. The cornerstone for its reconstruction was laid in 2001.
Official part of the ceremony began with the reading of Quran on a stage in front of Ferhadija.
Among the first high invitees who arrived in Banja Luka were the former Ambassador of the USA to BiH Maureen Cormack, former Head of OSCE Mission to BiH Jonathan Moore, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Denis Zvizdić, former Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Bakir Izetbegović, former Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Željka Cvijanović, former President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik.
