The Lukavac Islamic Centre and Mosque has opened in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina during a high-level ceremony attended by religious, political, and diplomatic leaders, marking the completion of a major religious, cultural, and community landmark supported by Qatar Charity (QC).
The opening marks the culmination of years of construction, with Qatar Charity playing a pivotal role in financing and supporting the completion of the newly built centre. The facility is expected to serve as a prominent place of worship, education, and community engagement for residents of Lukavac and the wider Tuzla Canton region.
In recognition of Qatar’s contribution, the Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton, Irfan Halilagic, announced that one of the city’s main streets would be named “Qatari Street.” The initiative is intended to honour the State of Qatar and Qatar Charity’s development, educational, and religious projects in the region, while serving as a lasting symbol of friendship between the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar.
The ceremony was attended by Meshaal bin Ali al-Attiyah, ambassador of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina; Husein-ef Kavazovic, Reisul-Ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Hassan bin Mohammed al-Nuaimi, general supervisor of Qatar Charity’s office in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Mohammed Ouchene, country manager of Qatar Charity in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Samer Gheith, project coordinator at
Qatar Charity’s Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Irfan Halilagic, prime minister of Tuzla Canton; Bakir Izetbegovic, former member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Edin Delic, mayor of Lukavac, alongside local government representatives, imams, and members of the community.
Speaking at the event, al-Attiyah underscored the importance of continued cooperation between the two peoples and reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to supporting humanitarian and social development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In his remarks, al-Nuaimi conveyed Qatar Charity’s greetings and congratulations to the Bosnian people, saying that the centre represents a distinctive architectural and cultural addition to the city.
“Qatar Charity began its work in Bosnia and Herzegovina more than 32 years ago and has remained committed to providing comprehensive humanitarian and development support,” al-Nuaimi said. “Throughout these decades, Qatar Charity’s Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina has sought to serve as a bridge of love, friendship, and cooperation between the two brotherly peoples.”
He hopes the new centre will serve as a beacon of knowledge and faith and a hub for promoting tolerance, education, and social solidarity.
During the ceremony, representatives of the Islamic Community and local authorities expressed their appreciation to the State of Qatar and Qatar Charity for their support. In recognition of the project’s significance, the Islamic Community presented al-Nuaimi with a handcrafted commemorative artwork depicting the architectural features of the new Islamic centre.
The Lukavac Islamic Centre and Mosque has been designed as an integrated religious, cultural, and social facility. In addition to serving as a place of worship, it includes multipurpose halls for conferences, seminars, and cultural activities, as well as equipped classrooms for religious and educational programmes, and for Quran memorisation classes for children and youth.