According to a report by the Islamic Mashikhiat of Croatia, some dreams are never realized within the lifetimes of those who conceived them; instead, they are passed down from generation to generation, remaining in the collective memory until conditions allow them to become reality.
After decades of waiting, the Muslim community in Osijek, has—through local efforts and support from Indonesia—succeeded in realizing their dream of establishing a comprehensive Islamic center. This facility will serve as a place for worship, the education of their children, and various social activities.
The Islamic Mashikhiat of Croatia has announced significant progress in the construction of this center. In a statement released on its official website on October 8, the organization noted that this milestone coincides with the fourth anniversary of the project’s foundation stone laying.
Throughout 2026, key phases—including the completion of the mosque and other center facilities—have been finalized, while work continues on further development, equipping the premises, and landscaping the surrounding areas.
The center comprises a mosque, Islamic educational facilities, a multi-purpose hall, administrative offices, a restaurant, a covered courtyard, a minaret, and various other amenities, bringing together worship, education, and social engagement under one roof.
The project has benefited from substantial support from Indonesia. This was made possible through the efforts of the Islamic Mashikhiat of Croatia—led by Mufti Sheikh Aziz Hasanović—who worked to mobilize support and strengthen cooperation with the Indonesian side to advance the construction process. In this context, Indonesian officials—including Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta and the Indonesian Ambassador to Croatia, Suwartini Wirta—visited the project site to assess its implementation phases and oversee its progress.
The project combines the efforts of the Muslim community in Osijek with support from Indonesia—the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation—to establish a center that will serve the religious, educational, and social needs of future generations.
The aspirations of Osijek’s Muslims to create a comprehensive Islamic center date back decades. The acquisition of the land designated for the project in 2005 marked a significant practical step, followed by the laying of the foundation stone on October 8, 2022.
Read More: Construction of Islamic Center Underway in Croatian City of Osijek
Over the years, donors, benefactors, and supporters have contributed funds, effort, and expertise to advance this project. Some of those involved passed away before construction began, leaving it to subsequent generations to witness the continued realization of a vision initiated by their predecessors.
The progress of the construction takes on historical significance as the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Islamic community in Osijek—established in 1927—approaches. The project continues to move forward as the city’s Muslim community prepares to commemorate a century of organized, institutional Islamic activity.
