Ef. Fazlović: Civilizational logic dictates that the first to care for and be responsible for Srebrenica must be a Bosniak

Tuzla Mufti Vahid-ef. Fazlović delivered a sermon today in Srebrenica, which was read by other imams in Bosnia and Herzegovina upon the instruction of Reis-ul-ulema Husein ef. Kavazović, announced the Riyaset of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, writes the Patria news agency.

In these days, we are still living under the impressions of Hajj and Qurban, acts of worship through which we have deepened our devotion to faith and renewed our spiritual values. Their strength and the fullness of their meaning still dominate everything that happens with us and around us.

Hajj is a sincere intention and a determined effort to ennoble the life that the Almighty has bestowed upon us through its rituals. It is our endeavor to thank the All-Merciful in the best place, in the immediate embrace of the Kaaba, the Qibla of all Muslims, following the example of the honorable and chosen prophets Abraham and Muhammad, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon them. Hajj is the seal of our commitment and perseverance in following the precepts of faith. It is the most demanding, but, at the same time, the most valuable and attractive journey. Hajj is the crowning proof of the meaning of physical exertion and sacrifice for spiritual completion and satisfaction.

In the days of Eid, a large number of our believers fulfilled another obligation – offering a Qurban. With Qurban, we expressed our readiness for sacrifice and renunciation of material things for the sake of what has lasting value. We are happy that in those days we expressed our adherence to the highest principles of our faith and that our deep inner feeling for others and their needs manifested itself once again in the most beautiful way.

And indeed, Hajj and Qurban teach us every year that the value of the human spirit can best be witnessed in the greatness of Allah's faith and the devotion to good that it demands of us.

Ahead of us is also the remembrance of the Hijra, that unique journey of the last Prophet of Allah, peace be upon him, from an environment of hardship and hostility to an oasis of solution, peace, and salvation. Tomorrow, God willing, the year 1438 AH begins. The event of the Hijra, in its symbolic and real meaning, besides faith and inspiration, represents a plan and strategy, the best possible path to the goal.

Because, let us remember that only after the Hijra could the Prophet and the believers establish a society and a community, brotherhood and togetherness. After the Hijra, Muslims could fully dedicate themselves to their mission in complete freedom. Hijra is a manifestation of the strength of the community and the togetherness of believers. It was a test that gave a new quality to the community and togetherness of Muslims. With the Hijra, both Mecca, the Prophet's hometown and beloved city, peace be upon him, and Medina, the city of his refuge, forever changed their appearance. Their common light of faith and enlightenment remains beneficial to people until the Day of Judgment.

With the help of the Hijra, the first homeland of Muslims was built, and that is precisely Medina. Love for the homeland, therefore, has its source in the teachings of our faith, in its foundations. The homeland has immeasurable value. We are born in it, we live and die freely on it. It is a guarantee for our peace and security. In its embrace, we achieve our true success, joy, and satisfaction. The homeland is our home, our habitat, and our hearth. By protecting our homeland, we protect our native soil and the home built by our loved ones. Also, our love for our home and homeland is our greatest pledge for our homeland. 

The demand of the times in which we live is that we, as a people, preserve ourselves on our native soil. This is the greatest right a person can have in this world from birth to death, just as it is the greatest injustice and violence to take it away from them. Bosniaks know the weight of that injustice, and therefore their love for their birthplace and homeland will never fade, and their struggle to live where their soul is most at peace, in their own place, will never cease. Because of our painful experiences, we understand people around the world who are deprived of their homes. We pray to Almighty God for all of them, and we remind everyone today, with the voice of reason, of those most responsible for establishing justice and peace among people and nations. Also, we wish all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, our neighbors, that all their rights to their native soil and return be fully respected. We want everyone to be attached to this country, to live where they lived, where their fathers chose, until aggression against this country sowed chaos and discord prevailed.

Therefore, our constant challenge and test is to patiently and wisely improve the situation in which we live, to build peace and security, as these are the greatest blessings for all people. Hence, it is especially important for Bosniaks to have worthy leaders in the villages and cities where they live, especially in places where the rights of Bosniaks are still grossly and systematically denied.

In such environments, we need far greater certainty that we, together with others, will be able to ensure conditions worthy of life for ourselves and our families, for the future of our descendants. The law of life is that everyone must first take care of themselves. Some tasks are solely ours. No one else can or will perform them on our behalf. We should know best what our good and prosperity lie in.

In His Wise Book, Allah, the Exalted, reveals: O you who have believed, care for yourselves. He who strays will not harm you when you are guided. To Allah you will all return, and He will inform you about what you used to do. (Al-Ma'idah, 105.)

Once, the just caliph Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, addressed the people, thanked Almighty Allah, and then said, 'People, you recite the verse: O you who have believed, care for yourselves (that is your responsibility); he who strays will not harm you when you are guided!, but you are misplacing its call and message, because I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say: Perhaps people who see evil deeds and wrongdoings being done and do not try to change them deserve that the consequences of such deeds encompass them all.'

Therefore, the message of this verse and this narration is that we must necessarily do everything we can to change and improve for the better. Neither an individual nor a community can be exempt from this obligation.   

The task of each of us is to support everything that is good for people and to oppose evil. Every opportunity on that path is precious. And one of those opportunities is this October 2nd, the day when we will manifest our responsibility towards ourselves and our families, towards our home and homeland. Let us seize it and convince everyone of our good intentions and readiness to do deeds that will benefit all people. Therefore, we call on you to responsibly fulfill your duty in the upcoming elections.

On this day, from this Bosnian city that is a symbol and a warning to the whole world, we send a call to every Bosniak to show respect with their heart and mind and to fulfill their duty towards Srebrenica. We do this primarily in the name of those who live here, and we believe that the honorable martyrs in Potočari are also among the living. There is no greater right for all of us than theirs, and no greater debt than what must be paid to Srebrenica.

Srebrenica is our right and our obligation before the Almighty Lord, to ourselves, to our neighbors, and to the whole world. Here are the martyrdoms of the genocide against Bosniaks. Caring for the sanctity of martyrdom, full awareness of the magnitude of the pain of Srebrenica's mothers and children, responsibility towards their fate and future, necessarily belongs to Bosniaks. In our relationship with Srebrenica, everyone can and must understand us. It is civilizational and all logic dictates that the first to care for and be responsible for Srebrenica must be a Bosniak. Of course, his responsibility should encompass all people living in Srebrenica. All of them have equal rights regarding all their human and civil needs.   

Brothers and sisters, dear residents of Srebrenica, especially these days, turn your attention to your Srebrenica and Potočari. Thank God that this city has its sons and daughters, it has its friends, at home and in the world. We call on everyone to make this important decision being made in the elections in Srebrenica your genuine concern and responsibility.