Mash'Ala awesome akhii
The bit about 'Jamaican man you come sit with us ' had me cracking up :D
The Tahajjud bit I have heard before from a friend, it's nice to see that they have a Islamic spirits out there. How are things outside Ramadan ?
Jazakumulah for sharing
Asslamo Allaikum,
We got up around 05:30 in the morning and prayed Faj’r and packed up ready to leave Kosovo. In dim daylight we discovered that we were around Mitrovica and were now waiting for the bus at 06:00 which will take us somewhere (no idea where but into enemy territory of Serbia).
06:00 came and went, no bus.
07:00 came and went, no bus.
Around 07:30 a bus came heading out of Kosovo and we had no choice but to board (hoping) that we are heading somewhere in the general direction of Bosnia.
We were wrong!
The bus actually took us to Podgorica (Montenegro) and I know that you are reading this and thinking O No! But Allah (SWT) is the Most Merciful of those who show Mercy because this meant that we were now entering Serbia from Montenegro and not Kosova so the immigration issues disappeared to a large extent.
From Podgorica (Montenegro) we had to find our way to Sarajevo (Bosnia).
We were thinking about buying bus tickets but there are no direct bus Service. Allah (SWT)’s Mercy descended and we soon discovered that there were some “Muslims” in town clearly distinguishable with women in Hijab etc.
Spoke to a Yusuf and he told us that he will drive us to Novi Pazar (Serbia) and we know that from there we should be able to get a Bus directly to Sarajevo (Bosnia). Roads are mountainous and not very good so the workhorse for Balkans like so many countries around the world is the ever dependable and reliable Mercedes 190E (W201) and Yusuf had the right car for the right environment.
He spoke little English so the 6 of us piled in the back and proceeded towards Serbia.
½ a mile before the border from Montenegro the “white guy” had to get off the car and walk with a cap on his head and chocolates in his hand, pretending to be backpacking through the mountains.
The authorities at Montenegro didn’t really care about him or us and we were waved straight through. He kept walking towards the into enemy territory of Serbia while we were in the car.
Yusuf (the driver) was a seasoned campaigner and he told us to be careful and do exactly what he tells us.
The “white guy” was waved straight through while we were held up at Serbian border for about 45 minutes, searched and then made to wait for no reason.
The Serbian authorities use a VISA STAMP with a big X on it and they put it directly on top of the Kosovan Visa (although we didn’t have it on the passport but on a paper) and this means that they are cancelling out the existence of (Muslim) Kosova!
Finally we reunited and Yusuf dropped us off at Novi Pazar (Serbia) and it was eassy to get a direct bus to Sarajevo (Bosnia).We noticed that all
throughout Serbia and Montenegro there are Mosques all along the Roads and countryside and this should make you wonder! Why should two countries which hate Islam re(build) so many Mosques? This is because they are vying to be part of Europe and (re)building Mosques is their way of showing that they are moving on (from the past).
The town had loads of Muslims and Muslim families but we didn't go past the bus station because there wasn't much time. However, almost every Muslim family shared their food with us or tried to converse with us and Novi Pazar (Serbia) is also an Ex-Ottoman town and a trade centre. Novi Pazar actually means something like "New Bazar" in Turkish.
We decided to call Sarajevo (Bosnia) and reconfirm our Hotel. The rooms were booked under the brothers (Christian) name and the owner (a Muslim) had no idea that we were Muslims. He greeted the brother and said that he is ready to provide good Service and he has a special girl "Nafeesa" who will make all of very happy in one night!
He asked for the approximate time of our arrival so he can get "Nafeesa" ready for us and there will no charge for this special service!
We boarded the bus and headed to Sarajevo (Bosnia)
BBC defines Sarajevo as a crowning achievement of the Ottomans. Here was a new city proudly facing and outshining its Christians counterparts in Europe. The Ottomans ensured that Sarajevo was bigger, better and more Modern than anything else in Europe. Sarajevo representing the rise of Europe’s Islamic empire and the city is a fitting tribute.
Geographically Bosnia is simply breathtakingly beautiful. Rivers, mountains, ravines, waterfalls and the Ottomans picked a spot which is shaped like a bowl with mountains all around and the city is simply gorgeous.
I have no other word for it, it literally takes your breath away. The sun rises from the mountains the city lights up block by block gradually and shimmers in sunshine.
We were looking forward to visiting Sarajevo and discussing the genocide with the locals. The Hotel owner found 5 beard guys enter his Hotel and he never spoke to us again (due to his shame) and Nafeesa also left us alone!
The bowl shaped city is also perfect for Serbian Snipers to simply plant themselves on higher grounds and rain fire (bullets) down on the city and just kill civilians indiscriminately. This was NOT the first Serbian atrocity in Sarajevo. On Sunday the 28th of June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was visiting the city with his wife when he shot dead by Gavrilo Princip and this chain of events led to WWI. The corner of the old Latin bridge where the shooting occured still stands today.
The entire city of Sarajevo is dotted with graves. There are graves everywhere, just because you had Muslim ancestry you were shot and murdered, those who may be a little "more religious" have a turban on their grave. This is not a Sunnah practising city at all and never was!
There are no signs of Islam even today! We were very disappointed here (from an Islamic perspective).
We visited the Emperor's Mosque for Zohar and here a local brother showed us positions (from the mountains) where the Serbs fired rounds indiscriminately. He said we were slaughtered like lambs but then Muslims started arriving and hitting back and Serbs were petrified. He recalled how an Arab brother saw a Serb showed so he charged uphill with a kitchen knife at the Serb and the Serb was so petrified that he froze! The Arab brother simply pushed the Serb and he fell to his side and he was literally frozen. The Serb had a Submachine gun loaded and with bullets and could have shot the Arab easily but he simply FROZE IN TERROR at someone charging at him with a kitchen knife. This is Emperor's Mosque for Zohar from where the Arab Mujahid charged at the Serbs and you can see the mountains in the back! This is the oldest Mosque and announced the arrival of Islam proudly.
Old Town is one of the most visited parts of and its structure (Mosques) etc remind you of the Islamic past. There was an Islamic book exhibition in the Mosque you see in the corner.
We performed Asar at Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and discussed our disappointment at the lack of Islam in this city. He explained that there is a world of difference here because he has lived here for over 22 years (even during the conflict) and there is rise in Islam in his opinion and we would have been utterly disgusted had we seen the city before the genocide. This is the Masjid where we discussed the matter.
Overall visiting Sarajevo taught us an important Lesson. You would think that those who are hit by the punishment of Allah (SWT) would wake up and turn to Allah (SWT) in repentance, Sarajevo proves that Hidayah (Guidance) comes from Allah (SWT) and not merely from calamities.
A calamity by and in itself won’t make a person change and turn to Allah (SWT), it may do or it may not.
City is a vibrant tourist destination and parties everyday like there is no tomorrow.
Very disturbing! You cannot walk anywhere without graves reminding of what happened here YET people remain oblivious...
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
Please wait...
