Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre - Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb mosque today- built in connection of tradition and modernity 

In the Second World War, the mufti of Zagreb, Ismet Muftic was executed by the Partisan in 1945. The establishment of communism after the war had huge implication on the political and social changes which also impacted the Zagreb Muslim community. In 1948, the old Zagreb Mosque was demolished and since then, restoring the Muslim institution is difficult under unfavorable circumstances. The foundation stone of the new Zagreb Mosque was laid in 1981 in the suburb of Zagreb and finally, the present Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre was completed and opened to public in 1987 (www.islamska-zajednica.hr)

The mosque was built by the Zagreb builders “Tehnika” and the architect, Džemal Čelić is a Professor at Sarajevo University, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His design was co-authored by Mirza Gološ, an architect from Sarajevo, while Ešref Kovačević, the best known Bosnian calligrapher of the time, took charge of the calligraphy (www.islamska-zajednica.hr).

We went to the tourist information centre in Galvni Kolodvor but the direction given wasn't very clear. We tried to ask people we met at the tram station but not all knew where the place is. Finally, after a long walk we did find the mosque and we had a wonderful lunch at the restaurant in the mosque. Most people in the mosque were very friendly but we were not able to ask much question due to language barrier.

How to go to the mosque?
Take tram no 6, from the tram station in front of Galvni Kolodvor. You can actually take several trams; number 6, 7, 14 and 8 to reach the mosque. But we took tram line number 6 in front of Galvni Kolodvor (the main train station).  Stopped at the Folnegovićevo naselje station and walked about 15 minutes passing the residential flats and once you get on the main road with traffic lights at the junction, the minaret is visible from a distance.

The address of the mosque:
Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre
Medžlis of the Islamic community
Gavellina 40
Croatia 10000
www.islamska-zajednica.hr

The whole complex is 10,000 square meter

Part of the complex

Another view of the mosque

42meters high minaret

The domes resemble shells

Ceramic calligraphy constitutes surah Yassin

The interior of Zagred mosque portrays simplicity 

The first floor is the ladies' hall

The ladies' hall

The main prayer hall

The entrance

 

The Mihrab is adorned with the calligraphy from Ayatul Kursi

Mimbar where the Imam preaches

Remains from the fence of the old mosque's Mimbar

The mimbar of the old Zagreb mosque 

The remains of the old mosque mihrab exhibited