With thousands of believers passing through the Ajvaz-Deda rock and the reciting of the prayer (dua), the main program of the 516th Days of Ajvatovica event was held today on the Ajvatovica plateau. The presence of many believers and dignitaries sent a message about importance of spirituality, unity, and homeland preference.
The tradition continued this year with the passing through the famous rock, after which the Mufti of Travnik, Ahmed-ef. Adilović recited the prayer (dua) and reminded those present of the values that Ajvatovica symbolizes – commitment and perseverance.
In his address, Mufti Adilović emphasized that Ajvatovica is a living witness to how the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina have known throughout history how to connect faith and homeland, MINA reports.
“Our ancestors found the strength here to survive in difficult times, to preserve Islam, the Bosnian language, culture, and customs. That is why today it is our reminder that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not just a land, but a sacred trust that we must guard and hand over to future generations,” Adilović pointed out.
Commenting on current challenges, Mufti sent a sharp message about the necessity of unity, warning that people whose only homeland is Bosnia and Herzegovina must not gamble with the fate of their country. He emphasized that the interests of the people and the state must be above personal and party interests, and that the right to political affiliation must not be a cause for disunity and the weakening of the state.
The Strength of Worship and a Proud History
Acting as the envoy of the Reis-ul-Ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Mufti of Banja Luka, Ismail-ef. Smajlović, addressed those present. He described the arrival at Ajvatovica as an encounter with a place of piety, calling on the believers to engage in self-reflection.
“Everyone here should ask themselves whether our worship reaches the quality of Ajvaz-dedo’s worship,” Smajlović said, criticizing today’s era of egoism in which individuals “impose passions as their guide.”
He also recalled the glorious ancestors who built and defended the homeland – from Jezzar Pasha, who stopped Napoleon and the Bosniaks who built bridges on the Silk Road, to the founders of Bosnian cities such as Gazi Isa-bey and Husrev-bey, and finally the late Alija Izetbegović, who led the defense of the country where patriots live today.
The ceremony was completed by an impressive parade of horsemen. In total, 320 of them arrived from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following the morning roll call in Prusac, they headed towards the plateau to take part in this traditional program.
The main part of the event was enriched by the Turkish military band “Mehter”, the Choir of the Elçi Ibrahim-Pasha Medresa, and the “Rejjan” Group.
Visitors’ Impressions: “This Must Be Experienced”
Every year, Ajvatovica gathers a large number of young people who nurture tradition. Emina Ramljak from Donji Vakuf arrived with the horsemen, wearing a traditional folk costume that she designed herself as a student of textile engineering and fashion design.
“It couldn’t be better, the journey went beautifully. The people we encountered were wonderful, and my heart is full to see that my city nurtures tradition and culture,” Emina stated.
Participants of the Prusac horsemen group, Malik and Šerifa, emphasized that they were overwhelmed with emotion.
“Yesterday, it was a mix of fear, adrenaline, and pride, but today it is a feeling of pure joy. It is hard to describe all of this in words. It is something that simply must be experienced,” they said.
This year’s event offered an exceptionally rich program, featuring 62 different activities, including cultural, religious, and educational, sports, and humanitarian events. All of these programs were successfully held across eight municipalities of the Travnik Muftijstvo and the Central Bosnia Canton, gathering a large number of participants who arrived at Ajvatovica not only from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina but from other countries as well.
The message of this year’s event is clear: Faith is a source of hope, history is a source of lesson, culture is a source of pride, and the homeland is a source of security, but also of obligation, Klix.ba writes.
