Construction of Islamic Center Underway in Croatian City of Osijek
The facility, which will include a mosque and a cultural center, aims to serve the local Muslim community and promote interfaith engagement.
The project, which covers a 3,000-square-meter plot and includes a planned 900-square-meter building, has received approval from the Osijek City Government. The site will function not only as a place of worship but also as a center for education and dialogue, according to statements made during the announcement, according to a Wednesday report by VOI.
Funding for the initiative includes a €1 million contribution from the Indonesian government, channeled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The donation was formally handed over by Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Anis Matta, to representatives of the Islamic Community of Croatia (Mešihat Islamske Zajednice u Hrvatskoj), with the ceremony attended by civil society leaders, including Prima Hadi Putra of Dompet Dhuafa, a prominent waqf and philanthropic organization.
“This is not just financial assistance, but a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to establishing global friendships based on moderate and inclusive Islamic values,” Putra said in a statement.
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Though construction began in late 2023, work on the project was temporarily halted due to funding constraints. Organizers say additional donations from the public and Indonesian charitable institutions are needed to complete the development.
Croatia’s Muslim community, which makes up approximately 1.3% of the country’s population, has constitutional protection and has established several religious and cultural institutions, including the Zagreb Mosque, one of the largest in Europe.
The new Islamic Center in Osijek is intended to complement these existing facilities and provide services to local Muslims, while also hosting events and dialogues aimed at fostering interreligious understanding.
The project follows a similar Indonesian-backed initiative in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Istiqlal Mosque was built in 1995. Organizers describe the Osijek center as part of a wider effort to support Muslim communities in Europe and encourage peaceful coexistence through education and community engagement.
No official completion date has been announced, but the project continues to seek support from donors interested in contributing to its goals.
Source: Agencies
