Zeynel Abedin-Pasha Mosque, Ohrid

The Zeynel Abedin-Pasha Mosque in Ohrid is a historical and cultural monument, reflecting the region's rich Ottoman heritage. Built in the first half of the 17th century by Zeynel Abedin-Pasha, this mosque originally served as a monastery for the Halveti Order, a Sufi Muslim sect. It is situated strategically on Krusevska Republika Square, near the landmark 900-year-old plane tree, Cinar, and a notable fountain, embedding it firmly within the cultural tapestry of Ohrid.

Today, the mosque features a burial chamber housing the tomb of Haji Muhammad Hayati, a Persian who was the first dervish sheikh in Ohrid. Hayati is an ancestor of Ohrid’s first ruler, marking the mosque not only as a place of worship but also as a site of profound historical lineage and spiritual significance.

The location of the mosque, just southeast of Ohrid's city center, offers a picturesque view, making it a relic of the city's Ottoman past. Its construction during a period when North Macedonia was part of the Ottoman Empire reflects the broader historical context of the area, where Islam became a prominent religion. This was a time of significant demographic and cultural shifts, with many Muslim Turks settling in the region and a substantial portion of the Albanian population converting to Islam.

The Zeynel Abedin-Pasha Mosque thus serves as a reminder of the religious and cultural diversity in North Macedonia, which is home to a substantial Muslim community, comprising over 39% of its population. The mosque not only provides a spiritual center for Muslims but also acts as a beacon of historical memory and cultural continuity in Ohrid.