Construction of the forth major Islamic cultural centre in Croatia started on Saturday.
On Saturday, the construction of the fourth Islamic Cultural Centre in Croatia started in Sisak. The ceremony was attended by about 2,000 Islamic faithful from Croatia and neighbouring countries, religious dignitaries, state and local officials, diplomats and other guests, reports Večernji List on November 12, 2016.
The Centre, valued at 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 metres, 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 the head of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Reis-ul-Ulema Husein Kavazović, who welcomed attendees on behalf of the Muslims from the neighbouring 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 neighbours, 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.
President of the Islamic Community in Croatia, Mufti Aziz Hasanović, said that such an example of religious coexistence can be found only in Sisak. He added that the ceremony was a confirmation of high democratic values in Croatia, which allows full religious freedoms. He expressed his opinion that the new centre would benefit everyone, not just Muslims.
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 diplomatic representation was led by the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico.
