Hadžibajrić: Stari Grad Municipality Does Not Deserve Step-Motherly Treatment from Higher Levels of Government

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – On the occasion of May 2nd, Stari Grad Municipality Day, a formal session was held at the BiH Armed Forces Hall, attended by numerous guests from other municipalities, representatives of twin municipalities from Turkey, Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Germany, Italy, and distinguished individuals who were presented with municipal awards today.

Chairman of the Municipal Council Jusuf Pušina stated that this date is important not only for Stari Grad but for Sarajevo Canton and BiH.

“May 2nd to May 9th are significant in the history of BiH. Patriotism is not in vain; it will overcome everything. I call on the citizens of Sarajevo to celebrate this as their birthday,” said Pušina.

Mayor of the Municipality Ibrahim Hadžibajrić, in his address to the attendees, summarized the last 10 years since he has been leading the Stari Grad municipality, as well as the attitude of higher levels of government towards the municipality.

“I am not satisfied; the Stari Grad Municipality does not deserve such treatment from higher levels of government, especially considering the period of aggression against BiH. Stari Grad was the first municipality targeted, the first to stand in defense, suffered the most relative to its population, and gave the most martyrs and fallen soldiers when considering the population size.”

Hadžibajrić stated that over the past 10 years, more than 90 million KM have been invested in various projects and investments, while they received 3.6 million KM from higher levels of government.

“The core of Stari Grad has been renovated. Starting May 6th, the renovation of Ferhadija Street will begin. Much controversy is being stirred up, and no one asks when it was built, who built it, and how it was built. Controversy arises because the tiles were lifted, and they were laid in 1998. Where we renovated from Markale to the Pharmacy in 2012 and 2013, not a single tile was lifted because it was done properly,” said Hadžibajrić.

He appealed to the higher levels of government to stop discriminating against the Stari Grad municipality and to provide it with more assistance.

Awards Presented

The Municipal Charter with a Golden Shield for dedicated action, particularly in organizing and conducting defense in the municipality and averting the danger of war destruction of its territory, was awarded to Mehmed Juska. The same award was posthumously given to Omer Derviškadić.

The Charter with the Coat of Arms of Stari Grad Municipality for exceptional contribution to the development of municipal infrastructure in Stari Grad Municipality was awarded to Tarik Poturović.

Certificates of Appreciation from Stari Grad Municipality for significant contributions to the development and promotion of the Municipality in areas important to the municipality were presented to Ahmet Kapidžić, Husein Cvrčak, and Admir Mulabdić.

The Golden Sebilj award was given to Behudin Rovčanin for his contribution to the development and affirmation of the Municipality, the development of international and interpersonal relations based on solidarity, democracy, humanity, and tolerance among people, and to Zilha Šeta – Tetka.

The “Police Officer of the Year” award was given to Emir Hrva for his exceptional contribution and achieved results in striving for the most favorable security situation in the Stari Grad municipality during the previous year's work.

The Charter with the Coat of Arms of Stari Grad Sarajevo Municipality for exceptional contribution to the construction and strengthening of the local community institution in the Municipality and its affirmation at home and abroad was awarded to Mustafa Mujezinović.