In Olovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ahi Evran Veli Kırşehir Mosque, built with the donations of the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV), has been officially opened.
A large number of guests and residents from Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina took part in the opening ceremony of the Ahi Evran Veli Kırşehir Mosque, initiated by Kırşehir Municipality in 2017 and completed with the aid of the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV).
Speaking at the mosque’s inauguration, Cebrail Küllü, an expert from the Eurasian Countries Department of the Directorate of Foreign Relations at the Presidency of Religious Affairs, conveyed the greetings of Ali Erbaş, the President of Religious Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV). He stated, “I am extremely happy to be in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a friendly and brotherly country, on the occasion of the inauguration of this mosque in Olovo, which stands as a symbol of our brotherhood.”
Küllü pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Türkiye are heirs to a common history and civilization, stating, “Mosques have always been one of the key pillars of this historical and cultural legacy. Throughout Islamic history, they have remained central to life, acting as a bridge between the past and the future. We are fortunate to witness some of the most remarkable examples of this in these lands.”
The head of the Islamic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein Kavazovic, extended his appreciation to Türkiye and expressed his wish for the mosque to be well-preserved and provide services for generations.
Mustafa Güvenç, Religious Services Counselor at Türkiye’s Sarajevo Embassy, emphasized his hope that the newly inaugurated mosque would reinforce the bond between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He added, “Mosques are not just spaces for prayer; they stand as emblems of our civilization and the heart of our urban life.”
Güvenç highlighted that the mosque stands in the center of Olovo, saying, “This mosque was built mainly through generous donations from Türkiye. I express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who played a role, donated, and worked tirelessly to make it a reality.”
Sarajevo Mufti Nedzad Grabus reminded that over 600 mosques were demolished during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The opening ceremony, which was graced by the participation of Sadık Babür Girgin, the Turkish Ambassador to Sarajevo, featured Hafizs from both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Türkiye singing religious hymns.
