Bajram sermon by reisul-ulema Kavazović: Appeal for peace and an end to the shedding of blood of innocent people, children, and the elderly

(Patria) - Reisul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina Husein-ef. Kavazović this morning, during the Bajram sermon from the Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque in Sarajevo, called for peace and an opportunity for the unfortunate people in the world to celebrate Bajram with dignity.

– We appeal to reasonable people in the world: stop the shedding of blood of innocent people, children, and the elderly. After the Holocaust and the genocide in Srebrenica, your human and moral responsibility is great. You cannot avoid it, because the survival of all of us depends on it. You are expected to save the Ishmael of our times, the people of Gaza – said the reisul-ulema.

Among other things, he emphasized that saving people from peril, physical or spiritual, is the most noble act of faith, an act of pure God-consciousness.

– Every effort and sacrifice we make to help people, to protect our homeland, to improve the situation in the community, to fulfill our obligations to people, to preserve human dignity, to alleviate some misfortune from people, in real life is a kurban, a sacrifice for a higher purpose of life – said the reisul-ulema.

He clearly stated that caring for one's family, home, and homeland is the duty of every Muslim.

– Our history is full of examples of courageous men who, with their bravery, sacrifice, and determination, changed the course of history of our people and country. This is an opportunity to remember many of our glorious ancestors, Bosnian ghazis and martyrs, and their deeds, who stood firm in defending the homeland. Thus, the famous saying of the brave Bosnian governor Abdullah-paša Sarajlija originated: "Baš vererum, bir taš verem". "I will give my head, but I will not give a single stone". May his words be our oath to the homeland – said the reisul-ulema.

Speaking about the regulations of Hajj and kurban, the reisul-ulema reminded of the Ibrahimic understanding of sacrifice, according to which kurban is not just a formality but a spiritual and ethical obligation – an act of purifying faith and God-consciousness.

He also emphasized that every real sacrifice for the common good – for people, homeland, community, and human dignity – is a true kurban, not just a ritual animal sacrifice.

He also highlighted the importance of sharing Bajram joy with everyone.

– Let us open our hearts to let friendship, joy, and peace enter them. Encountering our kurban makes us people who do not think only of themselves but open themselves to the needs of their neighbors, friends, brothers, and sisters. Let us be brothers and friends to each other! – said the reisul-ulema.

At the end of the sermon, the reisul-ulema offered a prayer, asking for peace, blessings, forgiveness, and God's protection for all people.

– We ask Him with sincere prayer to remove great trials from us and to protect with His power those suffering in Gaza and to bring peace and security to their tormented hearts and souls. May the joy of Bajram encompass all our families and our neighborhoods. We wish the same to our brothers in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and the diaspora, as well as in Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. We ask Allah, the Almighty, to let us live in our faith, in peace, and in friendship with others. Bajram sherif mubarek olsun! – said the reisul-ulema.