Dedović from Blagaj Mevlid: By defending Waqf sites in Mostar, we defend the honor and dignity of all Bosniaks

(Patria) - The central program of the 50th jubilee manifestation "Days of Mevlid and Dhikr" began today at 11:00 AM in front of the Blagaj Tekke at the source of the Buna river, in the presence of several tens of thousands of believers from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The gathering of believers at the Vrelo Bune prayer site is the oldest tradition of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Muslims, imbued with multi-layered moral, religious, and cultural-civilizational values.

The Mufti of Mostar, Dr. Salem-ef. Dedović, touched upon some of these values in his welcoming address, noting that the Mevlid in Blagaj is rooted in the tradition of the old Bosnians.

– Throughout history, our people have been called the good Bosnians because they were people ennobled by faith and love. They never wished evil upon others. They were aware that God is the creator and source of life. Unfortunately, even then, some politicians and some people were not satisfied that Bosnia was like that, so they forcibly tried to persecute them and force them into something that was not their identity – emphasized the Mufti.

He added that the Bosnian people are good people and that good people who belong to this land live in Bosnia.

– Today, the call of faith, the call of this region, and the call of the Bosniaks in Herzegovina who are facing serious and great challenges have brought you here. You have come to hear about that too. You have come to say that we are one body, that we are one community, just as our faith teaches us – said Mufti Dedović.

He emphasized that the Bosniaks of Herzegovina stand firm and steadfast today. He expressed hope that the Bosniaks in other parts of BiH will correctly understand the circumstances and processes unfolding in Mostar and Herzegovina.

– I hope you will understand us here, that you are aware that we are determined not to falter, not to accept that someone dictates the measure of our freedom and the measure of our rights. By defending the Waqf sites in the center of Mostar, we defend the honor and dignity of all Bosniaks in all parts of BiH. A ugly hegemonic policy is at play here, using means of political power and legal violence to divide and fence off Mostar. We, the local Muslims and Bosniaks, have given everything we could for a free, unified, common Mostar where everyone will feel free and comfortable – stated Mufti Dedović.
At the end of his address, he stressed that Bosniaks are a good, honest, and well-intentioned people, open to coexistence, ready to build a common homeland as a place of shared and good living where there is space for everyone, but that they are strictly against rigid policies that divide, separate, and divide Mostar and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After the Mufti's welcome to the gathered believers and high officials, imams, sheikhs, and dervishes, led by the Sheikh al-Mashaykh (President of the Tarikat Center in BiH) Ćazim Hadžimejlić, began reciting the Mevlid and Dhikr.

At the end of the program, an address by the Reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community in BiH, Dr. Husein-ef. Kavazović, is planned.

The programs of the 50th manifestation "Days of Mevlid and Dhikr" are held under the auspices of the Rijaset of the Islamic Community in BiH.(end)