TİKA's Support to the Introduction of Ottoman Cultural Heritage in Serbia

Prepared by the project team including, Kırklareli University academicians and Serbia Alumni of Türkiye members and with the support of Turkish Coordination and Coordination Agency, the "Sancak Bölgesi Osmanlı Kültür Mirası: Novi Pazar Hazire Şahideleri" (Sanjak Region Ottoman Cultural Heritage: Novi Pazar Headstones of the Special People Buried in Forbidden Areas) book was launched.

For the launch of the book, a “Sancak Bölgesi Osmanlı Kültür Mirası: Novi Pazar Hazire Şâhideleri” themed panel was organized. The panel was attended by Türkiye's Consul General to Novi Pazar, Osman Peşmen; Authorities of the Alumni of Türkiye (ASMAT), Authorities of Bosnian National Council, Kırklareli University Academicians and many guests along with writers from Türkiye and Novi Pazar.

To protect the local Ottoman cultural heritage, which is on the verge of destruction, 320 headstones were read and transcripted in the forbidden areas of nine mosques in Novi Pazar, the central area of Sanjak Region. Later on, the headstones were translated into Bosnian, collected into a book and brought into the use of researchers with the support of TİKA.

TİKA's Coordinator in Serbia, Mehmet Mete Anaç, stated that Novi Pazar is rich in Ottoman heritage and added that the headstones in the 9 mosques in Novi Pazar were photographed by Kırklareli University academicians and ASMAT members.

Kırklareli University Faculty of Science and Letters Dean, Prof. Dr. Mesut Ayar, in his speech in the panel, mentioned that the headstones represent a civilization and emphasized that especially the youth should know what these headstones refer to. Informing the audience about the meaning and the characteristics of the headstones, Mesut Ayar underlined the fact that the headstones worn off due to the material used and the importance of the book "Novi Pazar Hazire Şâhideleri” prepared with the support of TİKA.

Dr. Asistant Professor Yasin Yayla mentioned the hardships they encountered throughout the preparation process of “Novi Pazar Hazire Şahideleri" and stated that this book is to set an example for the young who are interested in history and culture and to encourage them to do similar searches.

The Sanjak region, located in Serbia's southern west, remained a part of the Ottoman Empire between 1454-1912. Novi Pazar, the central area of the Sanjak Region, became prominent for its Ottoman cultural heritage. As the result of the search conducted by the researchers in the area, be it in forbidden areas or graveyards, many headstones from the Ottoman period were located belonging to imams, mudarris, soldiers, and craftsmen, including the statesmen such as the Bosnian Governor.