Sarajevo prays for Turkish PM Erdogan

Bosnian Muslims prayed for Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government at Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, the main mosque in Bosnian capital Sarajevo. A collective prayer was performed after the official weekly Friday prayer to support Turkey and its PM regarding recent developments in the country. On the initiative of International University in Sarajevo (IUS) students, Union of Turkish Students (UTS) and pupils at Gazi Husrev bey Mosque, the gathering drew Turkish and Bosnian students, representatives of local authorities, non-governmental organizations and other citizens. Member of the the Young Muslims organization, Ismet Kasumagic, said that Erdogan is a great friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Noting that many Bosnians live in Turkey, Kasumagic said Turkey and Bosnia have close relations and people should do everything to strengthen it. Mayor of Ilidza municipality  Senad Memic, joined the prayer and said that Muslims need a strong Turkey. "In Turkey there must be peace for the safety of Bosnia. I hope to see a solution for everyone and I hope that premier Erdogan will continue to work in the interest of Muslims," said Memic. IUS Professor Mirsad Karic said the prayer was the least Bosnian citizens could do for Muslims in Turkey. Professor Metin Bosnak said the gathering aimed to show that Turkey's influence was not simply restricted to the country of Turkey. "As 76 million of Bosniaks live in Turkey, 2.5 million Turks live in Bosnia," said Bosnak implying the unity of populations of both nations. President of the Association of Turkish-Bosnian Friendship "Bosphorus" Rizvan Halilovic said he will always be with Turkey, which fully supports the independent Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the prayer, citizens chanted the slogan "Stand up straight, Bosnia is with you" and raised signs reading "Strong Turkey, strong Bosnia." The prayer for Erdogan will also be performed at 34 tekkes (Dervish lodges) around the country on Friday.