New Islamic cultural centre to be built in Croatia

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - In a ceremony attended by about 2,000 Islamic faithful from Croatia and neighboring countries, including religious dignitaries, state and local officials, diplomats and other guests, the construction of the fourth Islamic Cultural Centre in Croatia started on Saturday in Sisak city.

The center, which is estimated to cost around 5.5 million euros, will be built in phases by the Islamic Community in Croatia. The new facility, with the area of 2,500 square meters, in addition to the prayer area, will also include a number of other facilities for cultural, social and educational activities.

In addition to a mosque with a large dome and a minaret, there will be a multi-purpose hall, library with reading room, classrooms, a Muslim restaurant, accommodation area and other facilities.

This is a great day for Islamic believers, said Head of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Reis-ul-Ulema Husein Kavazović, who welcomed attendees on behalf of the Muslims from the neighboring country.

“From the future spiritual home, we will demonstrate and express harmony and a new quality of life, not only for the Muslims in this town but also for their good neighbors, Catholics, and others. This act is also our hope for the vision of a better world, united in good and communion. Croatia today allows everyone to live as believers”, said Kavazović.

From his side, President of the Islamic Community in Croatia Mufti Aziz Hasanović said that such an example of religious coexistence could be found only in Sisak.

He said that the ceremony was a confirmation of high democratic values in Croatia, which allows full religious freedom. The new center would benefit everyone, not just Muslims, he added.

Catholic Bishop of Sisak Vlado Košić expressed confidence that the Sisak mosque would be a place where God will be celebrated, a meeting place for Muslims and Christians under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother, and Queen of Peace.

The ceremony was attended by the envoy of the Emir of Kuwait, the envoy of the Turkish Diyanet, head of the Government Office for Relations with Religious Communities Šime Jevčić, Sisak-Moslavina County Prefect Ivo Žinić, Sisak Mayor Kristina Ikić Baniček and others, while the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico, led the diplomatic representation.



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