Courtesy Bosnian Islamic Center and Fox Architects
The Bosnian Islamic Center has already poured the foundation for a new youth center.
Throughout the month of Ramadan, leaders at the Bosnian Islamic Center have been raising funds for a youth center. The donation drive started in 2021, and even though progress has been delayed by the pandemic, a concrete foundation has been poured, and the construction of walls is under way.
“Pricing for material has gone up, as you know,” said Denis Nasufovic, who is on the board of the youth center. Donations though have been generous, Nasufovic says, “Bosnians take pride in building any buildings for their heritage.” The GoFundMe is mostly used by the youngsters; the majority visit the Bosnian Islamic Center on Lemay Ferry Road to donate physically. The mosque and adjoining parking lot are used for big community events like the celebration of Laylat al-Qadr or Eid al Fitr, important nights during Ramadan, and the youth center will be added to the southeast, off the parking lot.
Just as Catholic churches have names like the Church of Mary or the Church of Christ the King, the youth center’s proposed name has a significant meaning.
“Everyone back home had their avliya,” Nasufovic said. “It brings up so many memories from our homeland.” Avliya means yard, or house yard. “With trees,…
