By Talha Ozturk
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) Turkey's ambassador to Sarajevo on Thursday condemned a racist attack on a historic mosque in Banja Luka.
“Such attacks will not succeed in achieving the attackers’ goals, because Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina have deep-rooted relations and a common history and culture, ” said Haldun Koc.
The Arnaudija Mosque suffered a racist attack Tuesday when assailants spray-painted swastikas as well as the extreme Serbian nationalist symbol “4S. ”
Koc said that the attack had been a deliberate provocation, adding that they know of the existence of those who want to harm bilateral relations.
“We have to be very precise and responsive on these issues. The Bosnian authorities are also sensitive, and I know that they condemn this heinous act, ” said Koc.
The 16th-century mosque, located in Banja Luka in the Republika Srpska (RS) entity in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, was completely demolished by Serb forces during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War.
Owing to its historical importance, it has been under reconstruction by Turkey's Foundations General Directorate since 2017.
