At around 2 am on Thursday morning, a devastating fire consumed the Hadzi Pasha mosque in the Kolobara neighbourhood of Brcko, northern Bosnia. Despite the firefighters’ swift response with three vehicles, the blaze completely destroyed the mosque.

The Hadzi Pasha mosque, also known as the Kolobara Drvenija or Wooden mosque, was an important cultural and religious landmark. It was originally built in the early 19th century with funding from Hadzi Pasha Mujkanovic, a refugee from Sabac.

Rebuilt after wartime destruction

The mosque, which closely resembled the Dizdarija mosque built by Mujkanovic’s brother, was targeted and destroyed during the Bosnian War on July 17, 1992. It was later rebuilt in its original form in 2011 and handed over to the Tarikat Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina, serving as a takya of the Naqshbandi order.

Videos circulating on social media show the mosque engulfed in flames, sparking widespread grief among local residents and the broader community, the local media reported.

Police investigating cause of fire

The Brcko District Police have confirmed they are actively investigating the cause of the fire.

“On December 26, at 2:12 am, the Brcko District Police received a report that a mosque near the Third Primary School was on fire. Firefighters from the Professional Firefighting Unit and police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene, and the on-duty prosecutor of the Brcko District Prosecutor's Office was informed,” the police stated.

This tragic loss has deeply saddened the local community, who are mourning the destruction of this significant religious and historical site.