UNMIK on AIR

Devastations of Historical Sacral Monuments

April 2004

(By Andrea Saula)

After surviving centuries, wars, changes in civilizations and cultures, numerous earthquakes and floods, dozens of churches, monasteries and a handful of mosques however did not survive the attacks of last March.

Most of these monuments were built in the medieval period.

Those who had taken to the streets and set fire to these historic religious sites were most likely not aware of the 1954 provision in The Hague Convention outlining the Protection of Cultural Property, which states: -quote- “the damage to cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever means damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind, since each people makes its contribution to the culture of the world”.

In this program UNMIK on Air looks at the history of the Bajrakli Mosque and its subsequent destruction in Belgrade.

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During the March attacks some 30 Churches and Monasteries in Kosovo were destroyed but thousands also took to the streets in Serbia, which resulted in the torching of the Bajrakli Mosque in Belgrade and the Islam-Aga’s Mosque in Nis.

These acts prompted the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura to strongly condemn the attacks against cultural heritage sites saying- quote- “beyond monuments and heritage, it is a memory and cultural identity that are being destroyed.”

Regional scholars say the history of Bajrakli Mosque begins somewhere around 1690 A.D., even as there are some indications that it may have been built as early as 1521 A.D. Historians say it is common knowledge that the Bajrakli Mosque is a memorial dedicated to Sultan Suleiman II. Vera Pavlovic, the head of Belgrade Institute for Protection of Cultural Heritage, describes the Bajrakli Mosque as the most important mosque in Belgrade before it was destroyed:

Vera Pavlovic: Because that used to be a Mosque where Bayrak – flag was put on. It means that was the place where the flag had been raised as a sign for simultaneous beginning of prayers in all mosques. The mosque was on one of the most important places in Belgrade in those times. Still it is in question in which historical period it’s architecture is representative. Is it during 1521, because a lot of modifications had been made on its construction? During the Austrian rule the mosque acquired baroque characteristics. Even so, the Bajrakli Mosque has a similar story as a number of other construction efforts on the Belgrade Fortress. Due to many factors in the past, in this state and unfortunately in recent history too, we can just predict but not accurately determine the period in which it was built.

Bajrakli Mosque had one large room for worship, capped with a dome and accompanied by a minaret. It was built as an Islamic place of worship when Turks lived in Belgrade… but during a short Austrian rule, the mosque was turned into a Catholic church in the early 18^th century. When the Turks returned some 30 years later, they changed again the structure into a place of worship for Islam.

Scholars estimate that the Bajrakli Mosque was one of 80 mosques and masjids to have existed in Belgrade in Turkish times. Until recently, however, the Bajrakli Mosque was the only active mosque standing in Belgrade…on March 18th hundreds of protesters broke through a police cordon and began smashing windows. News reports indicate that after a protracted clash with police, the group entered into the courtyard of the mosque and set it ablaze.

Shortly after, condemnations came from all the sides: Belgrade police commanders were replaced, dozens of suspects have been arrested and plans for reconstruction of the mosque are underway. But the question remains: Just like in Kosovo, who is responsible for these violent and destructive acts?

Vera Pavlovic the head of Belgrade Institute for Protection of Cultural Heritage assesses that the damage done to the Belgrade Mosque is reparable.

Vera Pavlovic: Fortunately damage is not that big. Cement window frames are destroyed and the flame damaged facades. It is stone facade and it was even before meant to be washed. Inside there is no need for some big construction work. The damage hasn’t affected the substance of Mosque construction. Parts of wooden plating and wooden gallery also got burned. Some parts of mobilliar, or the inside of the dome are destroyed. The floor is partly damaged, but also the floor, even before, was meant to be replaced.

Bajrakli Mosque is under the purview of the Belgrade Institute for Protection of Cultural Heritage. The Institute recommends the City Hall Budget to finance all reconstruction efforts. Vera Pavlovic says that City Hall has already earmarked some 2 million Dinars to the Islam Community in Serbia for what she describes as “urgent purposes” such as preservation:

Vera Pavlovic: Before the blaze the budget for construction works for the mosque was 10,5 million of dinnars. That’s the budget for total reconstruction of the Mosque. Cleaning up the damage is going to coast around one million. But due to the fact that we’re not supposed to do only rehabilitation but also restoration, indispensable budget is some 10 millions to make this Mosque look like it deserves to look by its artistic criteria.

The Institute says that the process of reconstruction and preservation are just about to ready to begin. According to the Institute, this week experts from Sarajevo are slated to come to Belgrade to participate in the reconstruction and preservation efforts.

That is all for this edition of UNMIK on Air. Thanks for listening and stay tuned for more.