Opening ceremony of the Ferhadija mosque in Banja Luka is scheduled for May 7 this year, on the same day when Ferhadija was destroyed to the ground in 1993. The highest BiH officials were invited to the ceremony and accepted the invitation. Also invited are prime ministers of the neighboring countries and the Prime Minister of Turkey, who have not confirmed their arrival to the ceremony yet.
Osman Effendi Kozlić, the Mufti of Banja Luka, said that the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Bakir Izetbegović and President of the RS Milorad Dodik already confirmed their arrival. The invitation was also sent to the entity prime ministers, chairmen of the parliaments on state and entity levels, as well as to other BiH officials.
When it comes to foreign officials, Kozlić said that invitation will be sent to the Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, and the Embassy of Turkey in BiH already stated that they are expecting his arrival in Banja Luka on May 7.
“Also, we will invite prime ministers of all neighboring countries – Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro. Regarding the confirmation, it is up to them, but we will send an official invitation,” Kozlić said.
Kozlić said that it is difficult to estimate how many people will be present on that day in Banja Luka, but between ten and fifteen thousands of people are expected to arrive to this ceremony.
“Now we can only make calculations, but we will have the final number on May 2. Until then, all lower levels should send all the lists. All who want to come, have to report to the relevant majlises which they come from. If someone is from Sarajevo, they report to the Majlis of the Islamic Community Sarajevo. Even if they are coming with personal vehicles, they should report to the relevant majlis,” Kozlić explained.
Kozlić said that all possible safety measures have been undertaken and the MIA of RS is the institution in charge of those activities.
“Ministry of Internal Affairs of RS cooperates with other MIAs and certain activities have already been implemented,” Kozlić added.
One of the decisions is that no banners or any flags are allowed, and all who want to come to Banja Luka on that day must respect that decision.
Mufti Kozlić said that, according to information he has, the Reis-ul-Ulema Husein Kavazović will have the honor to open Ferhadija.
(Source: klix.ba/ photo buzimpress)
