Huso Salihović on Waqf Days: Waqf is a link between the past, present and future

(Patria) - This year's 14th manifestation “Waqf Days”, organized by the Waqf Directorate of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be held in several cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, with the central opening planned for April 24 at the Gazi Husrev-beg Library in Sarajevo.

Director of the Waqf Directorate Huso Salihović said in an interview with the MINA Agency that the manifestation once again unites the restoration, development and promotion of waqf, with the message that waqf transcends individuals and generations.

The central event of the ceremonial opening will be the awarding of a plaque to the most prominent waqif in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the previous year. According to the decision of the Management Board of the Waqf Directorate, this recognition went to Vahid Brkić from Gračanica, who financed the construction of a waqf commercial building in the area of the Majlis of the Islamic Community Gračanica.

– This year's choice of the most prominent waqif confirms that a waqf arises when the real need of a community is recognized. In this case, it is not a classic religious building, but a commercial space that will benefit the community in the long term – said Salihović.

A special place in the manifestation program is occupied by the ceremonial opening of the Dugalića Mosque complex in Nevesinje, planned for April 26, after years of restoration carried out in partnership with the General Directorate of Waqfs of the Republic of Turkey. On the same day, the laying of the cornerstone for the construction of the Murad Spahija Masjid in Galčići near Blagaj is also planned, also in cooperation with Turkish partners.

Among the contents of this year's Waqf Days are a round table on the role of women in the development of waqf, the promotion of a monograph on waqfs in the area of the Majlis of the Islamic Community Ljubuški, the laying of the cornerstone for the construction of a clock tower in Banja Luka, as well as a round table in Novi Pazar dedicated to the 500 years of the Altun-alem Mosque.

Salihović emphasizes that the manifestation program sought to cover a wide range of topics – from restoration and new investments to scientific and research content – in order to show that waqf is not limited to just one segment of social life.

– Waqf knows no boundaries. It connects people, institutions and communities around the common goal of preserving and improving the common good – said Salihović.

Speaking about the regional dimension of the manifestation, he stated that the inclusion of Novi Pazar and cooperation with the General Directorate of Waqfs of the Republic of Turkey confirm that the waqf idea transcends administrative and state borders. He also particularly pointed out the importance of the round table on the role of women in the development of waqf, at which, in addition to domestic participants, works from other organizational units of the Islamic Community will be presented.

One of the goals of this year's manifestation is to further strengthen public awareness of waqf. Salihović reminds that throughout history, waqf has responded to the concrete needs of society, from treating the poor and building water supply systems to education, social assistance and the development of local communities.

In this context, he emphasizes that modern waqifs continue the same logic of action: they first recognize what a particular community needs, and then invest in projects that will have lasting benefit.

– Waqf has always been oriented towards people and the community. Its value is not only in the property, but in the benefit that this property brings to people – said Salihović.

According to his words, Waqf Days also play an important role in bringing this idea closer to the wider population, because they show that waqf is not closed nor reserved for a narrow circle of people. On the contrary, it is a space open to everyone who wants to participate, whether through large investments or through a more modest contribution.

Salihović also reminded that this year marks 30 years since the reactivation of the work of the Waqf Directorate, by the decision of the Assembly of the Islamic Community in 1996. That period, as he stated, was marked by the inventory and registration of waqf property, legal protection, digitalization, management and development of waqf, as well as the restoration of numerous buildings destroyed during the aggression.

He particularly pointed out the fact that many restored waqf buildings are also national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose restoration restores not only the waqf function but also the identity of certain communities. As examples, he cited the Aladža Mosque in Foča and other significant buildings throughout the country.

However, as one of the key unresolved issues, he singled out the absence of a restitution law in Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite years of efforts by the Waqf Directorate to keep this issue in the focus of the public and institutions.

– Bosnia and Herzegovina still does not have a restitution law, and this remains one of the most important open issues when it comes to waqf property – warned Salihović.

Speaking about the message of this year's Waqf Days, Salihović emphasized that waqf is a lasting value that connects the past, present and future, and obliges current generations to preserve and improve what they have inherited.

– Waqf is a link between the past, present and future. Our obligation is to preserve, develop and pass on what we have inherited to the generations to come – said Salihović.

Speaking about the upcoming period, he stated that Waqf Days will continue to be a space for presenting development projects, waqf restoration, educational and research content, but also for strengthening institutional cooperation with related institutions in the country and the world. In addition, he announced the continuation of advocacy for legal solutions that should regulate the issue of waqf property, especially restitution.