Bosnian Islamic Cultural Center Dedicated in GA

February 8, 2005

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.ajc.com/hp/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/gwinnett_2480165ba2b120dd10c0.html

On February 8, 2005 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, "Dozens of Bosnians are expected to squeeze into a converted two-story house in Snellville on Saturday for the dedication of an Islamic cultural center. The yet-to-be-named center is nestled behind a woodsy flank of Centerville Highway south of Highpoint Road. The center will offer classes in Bosnian, the Koran and Bosnian history, said Ismet Zejnelovic, the center's imam. The Bosnian Islamic center should help keep teenagers off the street and serve as a spiritual compass for immigrants building a new home in America, Zejnelovic said. 'We want to be here like a big family,' he said. 'In our tradition, family is most important.' The first wave of Bosnian refugees who came to the region nearly a decade ago settled in DeKalb County. But Gwinnett has quickly grown into the most popular address for Bosnians who fled bloodshed in the Balkans. And it was only a matter of time before the community dropped a cultural anchor here as well."