President of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska (RS) entity Milorad Dodik expressed sympathy and pledged support following the fire that destroyed Hadzi Pasha mosque in Brcko on Thursday morning.

In a statement shared on the social media platform “X,” Dodik voiced his sadness over the incident, which led to the complete loss of the historic mosque.

“The news that Hadzi Pasha mosque in Brcko was completely destroyed in a fire last night deeply saddened me. I extend my support to Imam Mustafa Gobeljic and all members of the Islamic community in Brcko, with the hope that this religious site will be restored as soon as possible. To aid its reconstruction, 50,000 Bosnian marks (some €25,000) will be allocated from the budget of the President of Republika Srpska. The RS holds all places of worship in high regard, recognizing their cultural and religious significance,” Dodik stated.

Investigation underway

The fire broke out around 2:00 am, and despite the swift response from firefighters, the flames consumed the mosque entirely. The Brcko District Police have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

In a statement, the police confirmed that forensic experts are conducting an on-site investigation, expected to be completed later on Thursday. They emphasized that all necessary actions will be taken under the supervision of the Brcko District Prosecutor's Office to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A historic loss

Hadzi Pasha mosque, also known as Kolobara Mosque, has a storied history. Originally built in the 19th century, it was destroyed during the Bosnian War in 1992 and later reconstructed in its original form in 2011. Serving as a takya for the Naqshbandi order, the mosque held significant cultural and religious value for the local Islamic community.

Local authorities and religious leaders have expressed their commitment to restoring the mosque, ensuring its legacy and cultural importance endure despite this tragic setback.