Ancient mosque on 100 metre clifftop

Описание: (27 May 2018) LEADIN
Kuslat Mosque is one of the oldest Islamic places of worship in Bosnia.
The unique building is perched on top of a 100-metre-tall vertical cliff and was painstakingly rebuilt following the Bosnian war in the 1990s.
STORYLINE
High on top of what looks like an almost sheer cliff drop sits one of Bosnia's oldest Islamic places of worship.
Built in the 15th century, between 1461 and 1481, Kuslat Mosque can only be reached by foot.
But it's worth the walk. This tranquil mosque provides spectacular views of the surrounding verdant valley and overlooks the confluence of the Rivers Jadar and Drinjaca.
The mosque used to be full at all prayer times but is now only occasionally used.
"I remember the time when the mosque was in constant use," says local villager Kadir Mustafic.
"It had its own imam and children attended lessons there. It was damaged during the war and rebuilt afterward, but it is now only rarely that the Friday midday prayer is held there,"
He adds that it used to get so full some people would have to pray outside.
Mustafa Muharemovic, the Islamic community representative for eastern Bosnia, knows lots about its facinating history and says it was the first built for Ottoman soldiers during their conquest of Bosnia in 14th century.
"According to available information, it was built during the rule of Ottoman sultan Mehmed Fatih, between 1461 and 1481, and a travel writer from that time, Evlija Celebi, refers to it as the sultan's mosque," he says.
The mosque was heavily damaged during Bosnia's 1992-1995 war. Due to its location, reconstruction was a painstaking process.
But local Muslims who returned to the area after being expelled during the conflict were determined to rebuild it because they see it as a symbol of their presence in the area.
"People who live close to the mosque are very emotional about it. When they saw its minaret again (when it was rebuilt after the war), they felt happiness and it gave them a sense of security because it is a symbol of the centuries we (Muslims) have been living here," says Muharemovic.
According to local Islamic community, the mosque was the place from where Islam was first brought to the area.

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