HNK Mostar disputes Islamic Community fatwa over building legality

A dispute has emerged between the Croatian National Theatre (HNK) in Mostar and the Mostar Islamic Community regarding the legality of the theatre's construction and the status of the land it occupies.

The conflict centers on a fatwa issued by Mostar Mufti Salem Dedović. The HNK Mostar has challenged the fatwa, labeling its claims as lies and arguing that the site, referred to as the ‘Lakišića harem’, has not existed in official documents since at least 1884. The theatre maintains it possesses valid building permits and denies that the construction is illegal.

Conversely, critics and documentation suggest complexities regarding the legality of the building process. While the HNK claims to have valid permits, questions remain regarding whether the construction complied with urban planning frameworks, as the site is located in a central zone of Mostar where previous city council decisions had prohibited new construction and additions pending a regulatory plan. The dispute also involves the historical and legal status of the land and the presence of posthumous remains on the site.