Prime Minister Albin Kurti, together with Mufti Naim Tërnava, Chief Imam Vedat Sahiti and Minister Saranda Bogujevci, have signed the cooperation agreement for the design and implementation of the reconstruction project of the Ibri Mosque, erected in 1777 and burned by Serbian forces in 1999. They have also signed another memorandum of cooperation, which aims to strengthen the preservation and promotion of Islamic cultural heritage.
Acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has announced the start of procedures for the reconstruction of the mosque on the northern side of the central Ibri bridge in Mitrovica, which was burned on May 2, 1999 by Serbian forces.
Ibri Mosque was built in 1777.
And, on Saturday, Kurti together with mufti Naim Tërnava, chief imam Vedat Sahiti and minister Saranda Bogujevci, signed the cooperation agreement for the design and implementation of its reconstruction project.
“With this memorandum, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo supports the rebuilding of this monument of historical and cultural importance”, announced the acting Prime Minister. “Furthermore, we signed another memorandum of cooperation with the Islamic Community of Kosovo, which aims to strengthen the preservation and promotion of the Islamic cultural heritage.”
In the campaign for the December 28 elections, Kurti promised in Mitrovica the rebuilding of the mosque that was located across the bridge over the Ibri that divides the city ethnically. As the area where it was located falls in the territory administered by the Municipality of North Mitrovica, led by the Serbs, the reconstruction has not been allowed until now.
The Prime Minister has pledged to protect the cultural heritage.
“These commitments are part of our ongoing commitment to the protection of cultural heritage in the country, after the damage caused during the war of 1998-1999”, said Kurti. “Investments in this field will continue in the following years.”
Mufti Tërnava also gave such a promise, after the meeting with the Prime Minister in office.
“These commitments are part of the ongoing commitment to the protection of the cultural heritage in the country, after the damage caused during the war of 1998-1999. We remember that the Ibri Mosque was built in 1777, while it burned on May 2, 1999,” he said.
The mosque was located at the corner of the Ibri, near the central bridge in Mitrovica. The bridge became a symbol of division, since after the war it was not allowed to pass through it. And, last year, after the government’s initiative to open the bridge for vehicles provoked a reaction, initiatives were taken for two more bridges – one for vehicle traffic and the other for pedestrians. Both were built with an accelerated procedure and are open for traffic.
