TheDeenShow crew takes viewers on a stunning tour through the ancient town of Pocitelj in Bosnia, climbing centuries-old stone staircases to reach an Ottoman-era castle and watchtower built in the 15th century. Along the way, they meet friendly locals, explore restored mosques, and even have a half-hour dawah conversation with Australian tourists who had questions about Islam and the misconceptions they had encountered through media propaganda.
Exploring the Ottoman Castle of Pocitelj
The town of Pocitelj dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, originally under the Austro-Hungarian Empire before the Ottomans built their fortress and watchtower to control the trade route running down to the Adriatic coast and Dubrovnik. The castle, known as Kula, sits atop steep stone-paved roads that traders once navigated with horses and merchandise. The mosque below, originally built in 1562, was destroyed in August 1993 during the Bosnian War and rebuilt in 2005 — a testament to the resilience of Bosnia’s Muslim community.
“These are the remnants of the people of the past. They were living at one point, now they’re gone, and we’re observing what they left behind. Pretty soon we’ll be leaving it behind too.”
Dawah Conversations and Spiritual Reflections
After praying inside the restored mosque, the crew reflected on the importance of salah as spiritual nourishment for the soul. While the world’s most successful people talk about meditation and self-connection, Muslims connect with the Almighty Creator five times a day and then go right back to business. A chance encounter with Australian tourists in Dubrovnik led to a rich 30-minute conversation where common misconceptions about Islam were addressed, proving that travel and personal interaction remain the most powerful forms of dawah.
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said the key to Jannah (paradise) is prayer — disconnecting from the world and surrendering to your Creator
- Just as the body needs food, the soul needs the nourishment that comes from salah five times a day
- When people travel and meet Muslims face to face, the false propaganda dissolves and genuine understanding begins
- Bosnia’s rich Islamic history dating back to the Ottoman period continues to inspire visitors from around the world
- The ancient roads and castles serve as powerful reminders that every generation passes on and leaves behind only what they built — the real question is what we are building for the akhirah
