Ef. Smajkić: Bosniak politicians have shown incompetence, while Cerić has shown courage and leadership

I can express respect for the courage of Dr. Mustafa Cerić to run for the Bosniak member of the Presidency of BiH. Now that he has taken that brave step, I congratulate him on his audacity in this difficult state the country is in, hit by natural disasters, said Seid ef. Smajkić, a long-time respected mufti from Mostar, for the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

Ef. Smajkić said that even while serving as the Reis-ul-Ulema, Cerić combined leadership, both spiritual and political, and that must be acknowledged.

- It had to be that way, because our Bosniak politicians have shown incompetence and have not dealt with crucial issues of importance for the country to the outside world. He was, in a way, that political representative to the outside. He knows that and surely now, especially due to prejudices because of his former position, he will maximally engage to separate them – said ef. Smajkić.

Dr. Cerić himself said in his address yesterday that he has "taken off his turban and robes and I am entering the elections as a citizen, this is my new mission and I adhere to political discourse and action."

- I believe him in that, compared to other candidates, he has all the predispositions, he has built an image of a leader, and all doors are open to him. He has experience, knowledge, he has connections wherever he goes. Surely that is not a handicap for him compared to other candidates – concluded ef. Smajkić.