President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan today today officially opened the renovated mosque of Imam Havadža Durak, known as the Baščaršija Mosque, which was restored by the General Directorate of Waqfs of the Republic of Turkey.

Erdogan greeted the gathered citizens in front of that mosque in which he took part in the Friday prayer led by Rais-l-ulama Husein effendi Kavazović.

-The Baščaršija Mosque is there for Sarajevans and the whole world. This mosque was built in 1527, suffered fires and wars, but remained standing. It suffered the most destruction in the period from 1992 to 1995. Reconstruction work began six years ago. The mosque was supposed to be opened in March 2020 on the date of the Mirage, but we had to suspend the works due to the pandemic that captured the entire world- Erdogan said.

He expressed satisfaction that he had the opportunity to open this mosque today because mosques are symbols of the unity of Muslims.

Raisu-l-ulama Husein effendi Kavazović said that he was opening a restored mosque today with his brothers and friends, president Erdogan and the B&H Presidency member Šefik Džaferović.

-It is a part of our architecture and a symbol of Sarajevo. I thank the people of Turkey for rebuilding the mosques that were destroyed during the war in B&H. They are part of our common past and future. We want to build a prosperous B&H with our neighbors and members of other faiths. We will not be shaken by the ugly words of the people we hear today because every hatred brings the most damage to the hater himself- concluded Kavazović.