Igman: Prayer for the Homeland Recited, the Struggle for Bosnia and Herzegovina Continues Today!

(Patria) - The prayer for the homeland was recited today in the presence of a large number of believers on the plateau of the War Mosque on Igman, as part of the event "Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Igman 2023".

After paying tribute at the martyr cemeteries and memorials, and welcoming the standard-bearers and war flags, a religious program was held.

Hadis-ef. Pašalić, the military mufti, in his address to those present, emphasized that the martyrs are a pledge of our future.

"Remembering their honourable martyrdom, we can do nothing for them, because they have everything. Without them, without remembering their sacrifices, without fulfilling the trust we took from them, we will have nothing. Our martyrs do not need our prayers, but we need their intercession.

The trust we have taken obligates each of us, as well as the community. Let us be among those who will fulfil the promises made," said the military mufti.

He added that "our readiness to build the homeland together with our neighbours, with sincere intention and perseverance on God's path, is a guarantee of our secure future and confirmation of our past."

"Today we pray to the Lord that we be more responsible and capable in our tasks, more active in our congregations and more useful to society and the homeland. We do this here where the first mosque in the independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina was founded. Here, Bosniaks defended their homeland, organized the congregation and built the Igman Mosque, but throughout the homeland we have chosen to be among those who build, not those who destroy," emphasized the mufti.

He called on those present to "be persistent, brave, diligent and hardworking, just as the defenders of the homeland were."

The Chief Imam of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nesib-ef. Hadžić, emphasized that the goal of the event is "for us to be vigilant and constantly remind of the fact that the struggle for the homeland is not over."

"We must be mindful of the dangers that constantly lurk. If we do not have such events that will warn, we can expect that people will fall asleep at some point and their aspirations will be directed in some other direction. There are still attacks on the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, they still want to tell us that we have no right to a homeland and identity. In this regard, this event is important," stated Efendi Hadžić.

The Vice President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Refik Lendo, reminded that the goal of the members of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was the defence of the homeland, from the very beginning to this day.

"Today, the struggle for the homeland of Bosnia and Herzegovina continues, for it to be safer, more stable. Today on Igman, but also throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, we evoke memories of our heroes, our martyrs. What is important for members of the Army, for all Bosnian-Herzegovinian patriots, is that today we inherit something we are proud of, in relation to those who are ashamed today, people who with a rifle tried to destroy their own state.

At that time, they fought against the state and patriots, committed genocide, that is the difference between us, members of the Army, and those who are convicted criminals," stated Lendo.

The program was also attended by Nedžad Lokmić, the federal minister for veterans and disabled persons of the defensive-liberation war.

"Both as a man and as a minister, I am at this event for the first time and I can say that I am carrying great impressions. I am impressed by the turnout, but also by the beautiful War Mosque. We should nurture the tradition and culture of remembrance. Our martyrs obligate us to respect and preserve every day what they left us," emphasized Lokmić.

The Friday prayer, as the envoy of the Reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was led by Prof. Mustafa Spahić.

"Allah guides to the right path whoever wants, whoever desires, whoever deserves, whomever He has mercy on. External peace is not possible without peace within people. Peace is possible only through freedom, through responsibility in freedom. Peace is possible only through truth, and lies are the evil that destroys truth, destroys life. What and who gives inner peace to the human being, to the family, to the congregation, to the kin, to the people, to the race, to humanity. Inner peace is a guarantee of outer peace. This is given by the Creator," emphasized Spahić while delivering the sermon.

The prayer for the homeland of Bosnia and Herzegovina was recited by Nesib-ef. Hadžić, and a special program was performed by imams of the Islamic Community councils of Sarajevo and Kiseljak. The event "Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Igman" is a contribution to the culture of remembrance.