Major Islamic Educational Center Project Launched in Zagreb

The Islamic Community in Croatia is embarking on a significant new project: the construction of an educational and cultural center in Zagreb. This initiative, set to be built on 9,000 square meters near the existing Islamic Center Zagreb, coincides with the 110th anniversary of the official recognition of Islam in Croatia.

The expansive center will house the "Dr. Ahmed Smajlović" Islamic Gymnasium, aiming to increase its capacity to 200 students. According to Mufti Academic Aziz ef. Hasanović, president of the Islamic Community's Mešihat, the current facilities are insufficient for the school's needs. "The current capacity and technical conditions are inadequate to provide students with the best possible conditions for learning and acquiring new knowledge, which is the main motivation for building a new facility," he stated. The gymnasium's curriculum will remain aligned with the Ministry of Science and Education's regulations and will be open to all interested students.

Additionally, the center will integrate the "Ševko ef. Omerbašić" Institute for Arabic Language and Islam, described by Hasanović as unique in Croatia and the wider region. The institute offers verified Arabic language programs, attracting a significant number of non-Muslim students. "The programs offered by the Institute are for everyone, and the fact that about half of the attendees, and in some groups even more, are not Muslims or have never had any prior contact with the Arabic language speaks volumes about the openness of this institution," Hasanović noted. State bodies also recognize the institute for its educational services.

The project also includes plans for a sports hall, a lecture amphitheater, specialized classrooms, and administrative spaces. An architectural design competition resulted in a winning proposal from architects Hrvoje Bilandžić and Davor Plavšić, with visualization by Roman Krajcarz. Construction is anticipated to commence next year, pending the completion of necessary procedures and the acquisition of building permits.

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Programi koje provodi Institut su namijenjeni svima, a podatak da oko pola polaznika, a u nekim grupama i više od toga, nisu muslimani ili nisu imali nikakav prethodni doticaj s arapskim jezikom dovoljno govori u prilog otvorenosti i ove institucije