The “Husein Kovač” mosque located in Podgorica’s Konik neighborhood will remain standing, confirmed the Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and State Property, Slaven Radunović.

This statement was made in parliament in response to a question posed by Europe Now MP Nađa Laković regarding the appropriateness of the decision to demolish the mosque, considering Montenegro’s multiethnic identity.

Radunović conveyed that the Ministry had communicated in writing to Laković that legalizing a maximum number of illegal structures in Montenegro, including this mosque, aligns with public interests.

“Let it be clear that there was never any intention to demolish this building. When Reis Rifat Fejzić visited my office, I made it clear that during my tenure, I would not demolish any buildings. He understood this from day one,” Radunović remarked.

He also mentioned that he had informed a minister from the Bosniak Party about awaiting the legalization application, making it clear that demolition was not on the table.

“It is evident that political or other motivations have fueled the narrative that I intend to demolish the mosque,” Radunović noted.

In addition, he recounted a written response to Laković’s inquiries, which stated that a decision to demolish the “Husein Kovač” mosque was taken following an inspection conducted on July 16 of the previous year.

Radunović explained that the inspection found the religious structure in Konik was not compliant with the building permit issued in 2012, and its construction did not conform to the specified guidelines.

“The inspection revealed that the construction exceeded the parameters outlined in the building permit,” he added in the written response.

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