“I believe that Ferhadija represents a symbol of suffering of all religious objects in BiH and that its restoration and opening sends the message that we are really on the way of a normal life in the region. Just as in 2001, when the cornerstone was laid and when it came to murder a man on the foundations of Ferhadija, it was a hit on the return process and a hit for coexistence in the region, I believe that the opening of the mosque will be one new power and energy for the people to live in this area and for the co-existence to be felt in the true sense,” said Salkic.
He emphasized that it is still early to say whether the Ferhadija in the city of Banja Luka will take the place that it had before 1992.
“I talked with a lot of people and I can see that they are looking forward to the opening of the mosque, but, unfortunately, I’m not convinced that it will have a place that it had before the war when it was unimaginable that any photo from Banja Luka happens without Ferhadija. But of course, no one will be able to bypass its beauty, the external appearance that will not allow those who might want to avoid it to do so. Ferhadija, I am convinced, will be again one of the main symbols of Banja Luka, and it will mean to this city what it meant before. Maybe not it the full extent as before, but I am sure that many citizens feel this way,” said Salkic.
(Source: E. R./Faktor.ba)