Can BiH and Austria Serve as a Legal Framework Model for Islam in the European Context

The international conference "State and Religions in BiH and Austria: Legal Framework for Islam in the European Context" will be held on September 28 and 29 at the Gazi Husrev-beg Library in Sarajevo, writes the Patria News Agency.

The conference will be opened by addresses from the Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Kurz (via video link), the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Igor Crnadak, the Rais al-ulama Husein ef. Kavazović, the Head of the Cultural-Political Section of the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Teresa Indjein, as well as the Minister of Civil Affairs of BiH, Adil Osmanović.

European societies are becoming increasingly diverse in the 21st century, and it is up to states to ensure peace and full enjoyment of individual rights for all citizens. Freedom of religion and belief, as well as the right to non-discrimination, are important elements in this regard. BiH and Austria share a history of state secular neutrality towards religion, and the intention of this conference is to examine whether BiH and Austria can serve as a legal framework model for Islam in the European context.

The international conference, organized by the Austrian Embassy in Sarajevo and the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, will bring together leading European and domestic experts in law and religion, as well as representatives of the executive authorities and leading figures of religious communities in BiH, who will present models of cooperation between the state and organized religions.