Sinan Bey Mosque, Ottoman monument destroyed during war in Bosnia, reopens

In Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Cajnice, the Sinan Bey Mosque, destroyed by Serbs during the 1992-1995 war and reconstructed by Türkiye’s General Directorate of Foundations, will reopen for worship on July 12.

The historic mosque in Cajnice, built-in 1570 by Sinan Bey, son-in-law of Ottoman Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmed Pasha, was destroyed on June 8, 1992, by Serbian forces.

Reconstruction efforts began in 2016 with the support of the General Directorate of Foundations and the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting in the faithful restoration of the mosque.

The graves of Sinan Bey and his wife, Semse Kadun, adjacent to the mosque, were also restored, and the surrounding area was landscaped. Debris from the original mosque was incorporated into the reconstruction process.

Reopening, planned events

Gorajde Mufti Remzi Pitic stated that the reopening of the mosque would bring new life and momentum to Cajnice. The mosque will be reopened with Friday prayers.

“We are grateful to God for the reopening of this mosque,” Pitic said.

He added that the mosque’s reopening would give Bosniaks a reason to visit Cajnice more frequently. Additionally, the central Mawlid program on Sept. 15 is planned to be held in this mosque.

Excitement of mosque’s last muezzin, Hadis Kustura

Hadis Kustura, one of the last muezzins before the mosque’s destruction, expressed his excitement about being in the same place again.

Kustura, who lived in Cajnice until 1992 and moved to Sarajevo at the start of the war, said: “The feeling of reuniting with this mosque is immense and indescribable.” He thanked everyone, especially Türkiye, for their contributions to the mosque’s reconstruction.

“Now, when you enter Cajnice, you feel like you are entering an old Bosniak Muslim neighborhood,” Kustura said.

The Sinan Bey Mosque considered one of the most beautiful in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is expected to attract many visitors from both within and outside the country for its reopening.

The organizers encourage attendees to use shuttle buses from Gorajde rather than private vehicles.