Alipašina džamija- where the brave fought

Ali Pasha džamija, the mosque standing proudly at where the roads meet, has a history to boast. Built four years after the death of Ali-pasha, it is claimed to be one of the most beautiful cupolaed mosques in Sarajevo. The man from whom the mosque adopted its name died in 1557 on his sickbed, whereby he asked for a mosque to be built next to his grave, using the money from his foundation.

That was a black and white historical fact that anyone can get by visiting this mosque, or even sitting in front of his computer and google the name. But there was something else that makes traveling different- you are exposed to informations that are well spiced with more of its histories, cultures, beliefs, or even prejudices. I walked with Adnan the next day, a native of Sarajevo, and was told that from this very mosque, on its single tall minaret, Muslim women used to participate in the war against the aggressors. They defended their position until the last trace of hope vanished and never returned. That was when they threw their bodies to drown into Rijeka Miljacka, the river that witnessed their ever unfolding history. Hadn't they done what they did, God knows how those beasts would've treated them..

The night had a full moon which magically floated next to the mosque's historical minaret. Perhaps it wanted attention- and attention was what it got. For some reasons, even before I knew what a native would know about this mosque, I felt there was something attractive about it. Something historically unique and deserves more than just a passing-by. For all we know, the bright moon wanted us visiting worshipers to know and not to ever forget the sacrifices these extraordinary women made here, and the exemplary valour they exhibited. "Be faithful and brave, stand for truth and justice, men and women alike!" May we take heed, amin.

We walked into its compound and approached the main door. It was locked. From our experience on the mosques in Mostar, we were not at all surprised, but I admit feeling a little frustrated. Isha' was a bit too long a wait; we had no choice but to pray in its compound.