prijava
FOČA, May 5 (FENA) - Cultural monuments last as monuments to human achievements, and the Aladža Mosque should stand as a monument of resilience and reconciliation, stated the US Ambassador to BiH Erick Nelson at the opening ceremony of the rebuilt Aladža Mosque in Foča.
Ambassador Nelson said that he was pleased that so many people gathered, people of all faiths who came to testify to the return of their Aladža Mosque to this town.
"I am proud that, after our initial work through the ambassador's fund for the preservation of cultural monuments, the Republic of Turkey and the citizens of Foča joined us to complete the reconstruction of this symbol of diversity and tolerance," Nelson said.
In helping to preserve cultural monuments, he added, the United States shows how much it respects other cultures by protecting their traditions. Cultural monuments, he stressed, provide continuity with the past and they also help preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
"The painful history of Foča will never be and should not be forgotten. We hope that the reconstruction of the Aladža Mosque will bring peace and recovery to all people in Foča. We all worked together to give Aladža back to Foča. And we have to do even more. We have to work together to ensure that the people of all faiths have a place that belongs not only to Foča, but to the entire BiH.
Nelson added that the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a history of diversity.
"Today we celebrate the opening of the Aladža Mosque. Let us celebrate the diversity of this beautiful country every day," said Ambassador Nelson, who addressed the ceremony in the local language.
(FENA) S. R.
