The renovated complex around Belgrade's Bajrakli Mosque, set alight during unrest in 2004, following the violence against the Serbs in Kosovo, was opened on May 3 in the presence of religious leaders of the Islamic community, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church and the Jewish community.

The 2,500 square meter building next to the mosque, will accommodate on its six floors, a secondary religious school (madrasah), the Faculty of Islamic Sciences, the seat of the Belgrade muftiship, teaching rooms and an amphitheater.

The reconstruction was financed by Azerbaijan with the support of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, who sent a handmade silk carpet as a gift.

Mufti of Belgrade Muhamed Jusufspahic said that the Belgrade mosque was a historical building which connected Muslims, Christians and non-believers.

Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej said that in 2004, the building was unthinkably set on fire, deeply offending not only Muslims but also Christians.

"This took place in a troubled period, when our nation was in the midst of difficult times and when many lost their reason and did things the people did not support. I hope that this time is behind us and that it will not happen again," said Irinej.