STA, 20 July 2021 - The Muslim community celebrates Eid al-Adha from 20 to 23 July. The main ceremony of this major Muslim holiday took place on Tuesday morning at the Muslim Cultural Centre in Ljubljana, with Mufti Nevzet Porić leading the prayer.

Also called Eid Qurban or Bakra-Eid, Eid al-Adha (the Feast of the Sacrifice) is considered the holier of the two major Muslim holidays and also marks the end of the annual Hajj to the holy city of Mecca.

"The Hajj is a symbol of unity and deep belief, but also of diversity among people. It teaches that everything is passable on Earth and that ethical and moral values are key for harmonious mutual relations," the Islamic Community in Slovenia has said.

Mufti Nevzet Porić addressed the faithful at Tuesday's ceremony at the Muslim Cultural Centre in Ljubljana stressing the importance of vaccination and personal responsibility.

"In the past year, we had an emergency situation, where religious freedom was restricted as well, but we respected all the decrees of the competent institutions for the sake of health and saving lives," Porić said.

He endorsed calls by health experts for vaccination against Covid-19, expressing hope that closures of religious facilities will not happen again, as any restrictions on public life make the community's work more difficult.

The Mufti also explained that no one from Slovenia took part in the Hajj this year, as the number of pilgrims was limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additional prayers were organised on Tuesday in Kranj, Tržič, Jesenice, Škofja Loka, Postojna, Ajdovščina, Koper, Kočevje, Trbovlje, Celje, Velenje, Maribor, Sežana, Izola, Nova Gorica, Krško and Novo Mesto. Worshippers were obliged to wear masks and observe physical distancing rules.

The covers and editorials from leading weeklies of the Left and Right for the work-week ending Friday, 22 April 2021. All our stories about coronavirus and Slovenia are here

Mladina: SMC to end its agony in coalition

STA, 23 April 2021 - Mladina says in its latest commentary that the Modern Centre Party (SMC) is on its last legs, including its leader and Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek. The party is in agony as it is missing on the opportunity to leave the coalition of Janez Janša on time and save at least some of its credibility.

"Are they aware at all how humiliating is that they publicly mull Počivalšek resigning as minister and returning for a few days to parliament so that a new speaker gets elected, and then he would let himself be appointed minister again - which he himself would vote for?" the left-leaning weekly says under the headline It's Time, SMC.

What is more, the coalition does not want to give the group of unaffiliated former MPs of the SMC and Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) seats in parliamentary working bodies, although it is there where actual debates on bills take place.

"The fundamental question is: do they really think that the public does not see this agony? Such a position is unbearable for a normal person. The agony can be seen on the faces of all DeSUS deputies and ministers and the remaining SMC deputies."

According to Mladina, the things have gone too far and the SMC, or what has remained of the party that in 2014 achieved the greatest result in the history of Slovenian parliamentary democracy, will need to think whether it is better to end things at some point.

"Will they go on and play independent deputies for the SDS and Janša? What about parliamentary procedures?" the weekly wonders, noting that public opinion polls also show that the things have gone too far and they should not be relativised.

"The SMC, its president and leadership still have an actual opportunity to stop things, exit the coalition and trigger an early election. By doing so, they would gain at least some moral capital so that they will be able to live normally."

Demokracija: France overrun by Islam

STA, 22 April 2021 - The right-wing magazine Demokracija opines in Thursday's editorial that France is a bellwether for Europe in the sense that Islam is replacing Christianity, arguing that "the great replacement" is under way accompanied by "the forced destruction of traditional European values".

"What's happening to the heirs of Joan of Arc and Charles Martel happens in a few years (more or less) elsewhere," the paper says in the commentary Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia in Albi.

"France was the first country in Western Europe to officially open to the Arab world and Islamic culture, it was the first where Muslims [...] violently occupied streets during prayers, the first where Arabs started the 'culture' of torching cars."

The paper says these scenes are now seen in core EU countries such as Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden, whereas the resistance of countries such as Poland, Hungary and Slovenia, "who do not want imported violence and barbarian cultures on their streets", is designated as a departure from democracy, a curtailing of freedom.

"This is one reason why these countries are being served numerous scandals and fabricated stories - all with the intention to take them down and install Play-Doh dummies pliable to progressive and multicultural kneading.

"It is in this light that one should interpret the famous and fabricated 'non-paper' about alleged redrawing of borders in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which domestic and foreign leftist activists, politicians and journalists [...] have tried schemingly to plant on Janez Janša."

All our posts in this series are here

STA, 31 July 2020 - The Islamic community in Slovenia will celebrate this year's Eid al-Adha, a major Muslim holiday, somewhat differently due to the restrictive anti-epidemic measures, as believers are coming to the new Muslim Cultural Centre in Ljubljana on Friday in groups of 50 in four separate ceremonies.

Also called Eid Qurban or Bakra-Eid, the Feast of the Sacrifice is considered the holier of the two major Muslim holidays, honouring the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God's command.

It is also connected with the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, called Hajj, but this year Slovenian Muslims have not travelled to the holiest city in Islam due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Islamic community in Slovenia said on the occasion that Eid al-Adha is the time when people think about their families, relatives and friends and about how they feel.

"Hajj is a symbol of unity and deep belief, but also of diversity among people. It teaches them that everything is passable on Earth and that ethical and moral values are key for harmonious mutual relations," it added.

The community has recommended Slovenian Muslims focus on their families in the four days of celebration of Eid al-Adha, and advised against mass gatherings so that the unnecessary spread of the novel coronavirus is prevented.

"In their prayers, they should remember those who have found themselves in a difficult situation due to the epidemic. They should also think about healthcare workers, who are the most exposed to the virus and make the most sacrifices."

The first ever Eid al-Adha ceremony in the Ljubljana mosque was addressed by Mufti Nedžad Grabus, who pointed to the values of human life and equality, but could not avoid talking about the conditions dictated by the pandemic.

"The circumstances we live in demand full responsibility from all of us," said Grabus.

Nevzet Porić, the secretary general of the Islamic community in Slovenia, told the STA that, due to the restrictions, the ceremony had been attended by some 200 people, considerably less than in past years (up to 4,000).

"It's Eid al-Adha, but the feeling is strange, because you cannot shake hands with your friends and embrace them," he added, while calling on the community to be responsible as a few of its members already had died of Covid-19.

Grabus added that this year's prayers were also focused on "god easing the situation related to the contagious disease, which the entire world is fighting with, to protect the community from illness, worries and temptation."

STA, 22 June 2020 - The 2020 Plečnik Prize for best architectural project in Slovenia was won by Matija Bevk, Vasa J. Perović and Christophe Riss for the Muslim religious and cultural centre in Ljubljana. The jury said the project was exceptional not only in the national but also in the European context.

The architects have proven how extremely important it is to have a comprehensive approach to a project, and consistently implement the concept both at the levels of the city and building, and individual architectural elements.

With the religious and cultural centre, Ljubljana has finally gotten another piece of top quality public architecture of sensible size after a few decades, the jury said.

The project by Bevk Perović Arhitekti is an example of how top architecture can be created with a determined approach based on winning an international architectural design competition.

It also shows that architectural design competitions are an excellent tool for making sure that the high standards in Ljubljana's architecture set by Jože Plečnik and visionary decision-makers continue.

The Plečnik medal for realisation went to Rok Žnidaršič and Žiga Ravnikar for the gym of the Vižmarje Brod Primary School, which the jury described as a "convincing and fresh solution exceeding ordinary standards in every aspect".

Tomaž Vuga received the Plečnik medal for important contribution to architectural theory for his book Projekt: Nova Gorica, intertwining his personal recollections of his home town with his professional work as one of the main urbanists of Nova Gorica. His research offers a unique insight into the construction and planning of Nova Gorica in the second half of the 20th century, the jury said.

Another medal went to Matevž Vidmar Čelik, the director of the Museum of Architecture and Design, for his contribution to architectural culture and for the promotion of the museum in the international architectural community.

As the museum head, Vidmar Čelik has set out a modern path for the institution over the last ten years. By participating in international projects and cooperating with international institutions, the museum has been promoting Slovenian architecture on a global level.

The Plečnik Prize, the highest recognition for achievements in architecture, landscape architecture, urbanism and interior design in Slovenia, has been conferred by the Jože Plečnik Fund, named after the famed architect Plečnik (1872-1957), since 1972.

STA, 3 February 2020 - The Ljubljana mosque, which the Islamic community in Slovenia has been striving for decades, will be inaugurated in June after the end of Ramadan, while it will already start operating in about a week, Mufti Nedžad Grabus announced on Monday.

 Presenting the Muslim Cultural Centre Ljubljana, as it is officially called, Grabus told the press the centre was a milestone event for Muslims in Slovenia, who were finally getting their own space for prayer and activities.

Grabus, who highlighted the cultural and educational aspects of the centre, looked back at the efforts to obtain the mosque, which is located just north of the city centre.

Plans for a different location failed in 2006, while the plot between Parmova and Kurilniška streets was secured in 2008 and the foundation stone laid in 2013. Construction was suspended in 2017 and resumed in 2018.

Grabus spoke of one of the most beautiful Islamic cultural centres in Europe. It has a capacity of 1,400 worshippers and comprises a 24-metre cube containing the dome and a 40-metre-high minaret.

Aside from offices, classrooms, a washing room and a residential section, it also houses a gym and restaurant. A car park is attached as well, with Grabus announcing the gym, restaurant and car park could also be rented out to help fund maintenance.

The project will end up costing slightly over EUR 34 million, roughly EUR 28 million of which was provided by donors from Qatar. EUR 2 million came from other countries while EUR 4 million was collected by Muslims in Slovenia, whose number Grabus put at around 80,000.

The mufti rejected speculation the donors from Qatar could have asked for any favours or a role in the centre's activities in return for the funding.

Prayers will be held five times a days in the mosque, while they are expected to be extended to the platform in front of it during major holidays.

Like is customary abroad, worshippers will also be summoned to prayer with the help of loudspeakers, but Grabus announced this would be limited to the centre's main platform. "We will make an effort not to upset the Slovenian public," he said.

It remains to be determined in what way the centre and mosque will be open to the general public. At present, the idea is to enable visits to the mosque when it is not used for prayer, initially free of charge and later possible for a fee.

STA, 19 September 2019 - The Ljubljana mosque got an operating permit on Thursday, the Islamic Community's secretary general Nevzet Porić told the news web portal 24ur.com. It is expected to open for prayers after the New Year.

According to Porić, all work on the interior should be completed by the end of the year and all furnishings should be purchased by the end of February.

The official inauguration ceremony is planned at the end of May 2020, after the end of the fasting month, said Mufti Nedžad Grabus.

Source: Wikipedia

But the believers would be able to start using the prayer room at the Islamic Religious and Cultural Centre after the New Year's, according to Porić.

The complex comprises a 24-metre cube containing the dome and a 40-metre-high minaret. Aside from the offices, a washing room and a residential section, it was supposed to house a gym and restaurant.

Construction work was launched in May 2015 after decades of efforts. The entire project is valued at EUR 35 million, up from the initial estimate of EUR 22 million. Qatar as the biggest donor contributed EUR 25 million.

STA, 12 August 2019 - A central ceremony marking Eid al-Adha or the Festival of the Sacrifice, one of the biggest religious holidays in Islam, was held in Ljubljana's Kodeljevo Arena on Sunday. The ceremony was addressed by Mufti Nedžad Grabus, with the start of prayers scheduled for 6.36am.

The Muslim holiday provides an opportunity for believers to embark on a self-reflection journey and consider righting the wrongs they might have done to themselves or others, said the Muslim community in Slovenia.

The believers should be aware how unpredictable and ephemeral life is, given that everything is transient, it added.

The Festival of the Sacrifice is the time for atonement and asking for forgiveness, but also the time for sharing joy with loved ones.

The Eid al-Adha celebrations start with pilgrims setting out on trips to Mecca and Medina.

The highlight of the annual pilgrimage, which took place on Saturday, is held on Mount Arafat, a hill east of Mecca in the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims gather to pray in unity which defies any class, political or social divides.

This year, 28 Muslims from Slovenia have embarked on the journey to Mecca. Those who are not part of the pilgrimage celebrate the holiday with their families.

Apart from Ljubljana, Eid al-Adha prayers will be held in other Slovenian cities and towns with Muslim communities as well.

Next year's Eid al-Adha celebrations are expected to take place in the Ljubljana mosque instead of the Kodeljevo sports arena since the construction of the former is all but completed.

All our stories on Islam in Slovenia are here

STA, 4 June 2019- As Slovenian Muslims gathered to celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan in Ljubljana on Tuesday morning, Mufti Nedžad Grabus expressed concern about what he said was growing Islamophobia in Slovenia.

Addressing believers gathered for the Eid al-Fitr prayer, the leader of the Slovenian Muslim Community spoke about the "development of Islamophobia, which is being spread to Slovenia by means of extremist and nationalist platforms in Europe and which is manifested through certain media and political concepts in daily labelling and defining of Islam as a violent religion".

He argued that manipulation of political concepts of multi-culturalism was giving rise to uncertainty among people and incited hatred, a serious problem for society.

"As European Muslims we are sensitive to any spread of hate speech, because we know from own experience it can lead to unwanted consequences as it did in the case of the Srebrenica genocide," Grabus said.

He urged those responsible to dedicate more attention to hate speech in society. "We are aware of the freedom of speech in a democratic society, but the freedom of speech cannot be an excuse to spread hate speech against others."

Grabus, who was addressing the believers at the Kodeljevo sports arena, expressed the hope that the next Eid al-Fitr prayer would be conducted at the mosque, whose construction is all but completed.

The mufti also called for modesty, spirituality and charity, warning against pride, which he said destroyed humaneness.

STA, 18 July 2018 - The Slovenian Muslim community has secured the missing funds for the completion of the mosque in Ljubljana, as Qatar will follow-up its earlier donation with a EUR 10.8m grant, Mufti Nedžad Grabus told the Wednesday edition of the daily Večer. 

STA, 15 June - Mufti Nedžad Grabus, the head of the Slovenian Muslim community, criticised Slovenia for marginalising small religious communities as he addressed its main prayer for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, on Friday morning.