JAMA OR SOFI MEHMED-PASHA MOSQUE

Author: Ekrem Tucaković, PhD, Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina • Photo: Mirza Hasanefendić

 

The mosque is located in the Banja Luka neighborhood Gornji Šeher. It was commissioned by Sofi Mehmed-pasha, the first Bosnian regent seated in u Banja Luka in 1554/1555. In terms of space, it is the largest and in terms of age the second oldest mosque in Banja Luka.

This mosque in Banja Luka is characterized by unusual interior, a dent (hole, jama in Bosnian) in the floor. According to a story, the hole – built inside the mosque – was used for ascetics and penitents, while another story says that it was the place where only Sofi Mehmed – a pasha who wanted to show his humility - prayed.

The mosque has experienced several renovations and restorations. It was mined and torn to the ground on 4 July 1993, during the aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was again renovated in 2006.

In 2003, the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina made the decision to proclaim the historical area Harem Jama (Sofi Mehmed-pasha) mosque in Banja Luka a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which consists of the harem (courtyard) next to the mosque and the harem across the mosque.

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