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Türkiye’s Directorate General of Foundations and the Islamic Religious Community of North Macedonia have signed a cooperation protocol to restore two historic Ottoman-era mosques in North Macedonia, underscoring the countries’ commitment to preserving shared cultural heritage.
Under the agreement, the Haci Balaban Mosque in Skopje and the Alaca Mosque in Tetovo (Kalkandelen) will undergo restoration to maintain their historical and architectural integrity.
Following the signing, Director General Sinan Aksu highlighted Türkiye’s dedication not only to preserving waqf properties within its borders but also to safeguarding Ottoman-era heritage abroad.
“Protecting this legacy is a duty we cannot neglect,” Aksu stated. He emphasized that the restoration works aim to ensure these historic sites are preserved authentically for future generations.
Aksu also noted that Türkiye has previously completed restoration projects on three other Ottoman-era sites in North Macedonia and announced the inclusion of the country in the annual vakıf iftar programs, part of Türkiye’s ongoing charitable initiatives during Ramadan.
Sakir Fetai, head of the Islamic Religious Community of North Macedonia, expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s support and hospitality, noting that the community values the attention given to Ottoman heritage in the country. Fetai said he looks forward to future joint projects and wished the restoration efforts “success and blessings.”
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