Dr. Cerić: The right and honor of Muslims must not be subject to political competition

The statement of Reis-l-ulema Husein Kavazović at the traditional Bayram reception for representatives of state, religious, diplomatic, political and social institutions, the intellectual community and public figures, regarding the attitude of the Council of Ministers towards the adoption of the Agreement between the Islamic Community and the State, cannot and must not leave anyone indifferent who believes in the equality of all religions and nations in our country, believes Dr. Mustafa Cerić, independent candidate for the Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Stating that the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued negative opinions and thus made it known that the Islamic Community, as the largest community, is not equal with other religious communities, Reis-l-ulema Kavazović said:

- We are surprised and taken aback because the stated positions of the ministers of the two ministries challenged issues that represent the specific needs of the Islamic Community and which, as such, occupy a central place in the agreement, such as the issue of the right to perform Friday prayers, dress, choice of halal food, etc., and on the other hand, negative opinions were expressed on those contents in the Agreement that are resolved in an identical manner in the agreements with the Vatican and the Serbian Orthodox Church, such as the issues of inviolability of religious buildings and premises, treatment of educational and humanitarian institutions, religious education, etc. - said Reis Kavazović in his address last night.

- Such an address by Reis-l-ulema Kavazović at the Bayram reception, which reflects the disappointment and helplessness of the institution of the Reis-l-ulema to realize and protect the basic rights of Muslims, members of the Islamic Community, clearly shows the overall position of Bosniak Muslims in the state and society. This situation must change. As the oldest and most convincing institution and as a community of Muslims, the Islamic Community must have equal status in the state and society with other religious communities and churches - emphasized Dr. Cerić, protesting against the positions of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

- I demand that they immediately and unconditionally reconsider their decision on the Agreement with the Islamic Community and respond positively to its requests, as was done with the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Also, I demand from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Civil Affairs a clear and unambiguous apology to Muslims for the insult inflicted on them by belittling their religious and moral values - states the statement of Dr. Cerić.

- The issue of the rights and honor of Muslims, represented by the Islamic Community in the person of the Reis-l-ulema, must not be a political competition of any individual or group. The Islamic Community is the concern, right and honor of all responsible and conscientious Muslims, and the institution of the Reis-l-ulema is a symbol of the faith and the community. The institution of the Reis-l-ulema should be spared from begging for a handful of natural rights of Muslims in the state, which has pledged before God and the world that it will not make a distinction between people and nations based on religion and nation, but will protect the rights of all citizens regardless of religion and nation - concluded Dr. Cerić.