There are many spots in my homecity that calm my mind and fill my heart with rays of love.

But this spot, oh man. It brings so many emotions of promises and wishes I made myself there. Promises I kept, promises I am yet to keep, wishes that came true, wishes I hope will come true and the ones I am trying to let go of.

Within Hanikah, there is one special room that is mostly locked because it has a mihrab (semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca and hence the direction that Muslims should face when praying) inside.

There is the belief that, in this particular room, the idea of establishing Sarajevo as a city was created amung the great intellectuals of that time, starting with the one that is considered the  establisher of Sarajevo. That is Isa – beg Ishaković.

Entering that room, just sitting in silence, looking at the mihrab, brings back the noise of those great wise men discussing about Sarajevo. It’s such a grand feeling.

It looks like a spacious house, with an amazing stone hall enriched by pillars and big rooms on both sides of the hall.

Today, Hanikah is a gallery mostly, and sometimes an event spot.

But, for me, it will forever remain a  place where I question and direct myself and my purpose of life.