The Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) provided financial and participant support to the 515th Ayvaz Dede Events, which concluded with a ceremony held on June 29, 2025, in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In his speech at the ceremony, the President of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein Kavazović, stated that the Ayvaz Dede festivities are a deeply rooted tradition for them. Drawing attention to genocides committed against Muslims around the world, Kavazović said, “We must always remember the lessons we learned from Srebrenica. Srebrenica clearly shows us the consequences of surrendering to the enemy, of being defenseless, and of not being protected by our own.”
The ceremony was attended by numerous officials and guests, including Turkey’s Ambassador to Sarajevo Emin Akseki, President of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina Husein Kavazović, representatives of the Islamic Community, and participants from various countries including Turkey. Thousands of people watched the concert performed by the Mehter Band of the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. The band also played one of the Bosniaks’ favorite melodies, “Šehidski Rastanak” (Farewell of the Martyr).
Over 100 horsemen, dressed in colorful and traditional outfits, departed with chants of takbir and prayers from the village of Karaula near Travnik in the early morning hours, headed to Prusac to take part in the centuries-old festivities held to commemorate Ayvaz Dede, a figure considered a major symbol in the Bosniaks’ acceptance of Islam.
Before setting off, a recitation of the Qur’an and prayers were held for the horsemen who would take part in the festivities that carry an ancient tradition into the present.
Who is Ayvaz Dede?
Ayvaz Dede, from Akhisar in Manisa (Turkey), was one of the Horasan erenleri (saints of Khorasan) who came from Anatolia to Bosnia and Herzegovina for the purpose of Islamic guidance, similar to Sarı Saltuk. According to tradition, more than five centuries ago, he prayed for 40 days and 40 nights on the mountain near the town of Prusac (formerly Akhisar), which was suffering from a severe drought.
It is said that during his worship, Ayvaz Dede saw two rams clashing in his dream, and when he awoke, he found the mountain split and a river flowing powerfully through it. After this miraculous event, the area gained access to water, the drought ended, and the local people—having witnessed the miracle-embraced Islam.
The festival, which had been banned starting in 1947 during the communist rule in the former Yugoslavia, resumed in 1990.
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