Bosnia: Historical mosque comes under racist attack

By Adis Karaca

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - A historical mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina was vandalized with with spray-painted symbols of Nazis and extreme Serb nationalists late Tuesday.

The Arnaudija Mosque was come under racist attack when the assailants spray-painted Nazis' swastika, and "4S” symbol of extreme Serbian nationalist, meaning "Only the unity saves Serbs".

Located in the Banja Luka city of Republika Srpska (RS) entity in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Arnaudija Mosque was completely demolished by Serb forces during the Bosnian War between 1992 and 1995.

It has currently been under reconstruction of Turkey's General Directorate of Foundations.

Republika Srpska police said on Wednesday that the case is being investigated.

"An investigation has been launched to find the perpetrators of the ugly attack on mosque walls," said a police statement.

Dubbing the attack "extremist and nationalist," the statement also condemned the racist act.

The Arnaudiye Mosque was built in 1595. It was completely demolished by the Serb forces in 1993. Turkey's Directorate General of Foundations started the reconstruction of the historical Ottoman mosque in 2017.