Islamic Community Donates 450,000 KM to Flood Victims in Fojnica, Kiseljak and Kreševo

(Patria) - After floods hit a part of our homeland in October last year, the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina organised a collection in all mosques in our homeland and the diaspora, raising 5.5 million KM.

Today, on behalf of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community, funds were handed over to those who suffered damage during the floods in October 2024, namely 344,000 KM for the Fojnica area and 106,000 KM for the flood-affected areas of Kiseljak and Kreševo.

On this occasion, the envoy of the Reis-ul-Ulema, Ibrahim-ef. Malanović, Director of the Office for Social Care, emphasised that the Islamic Community has not forgotten the population affected by the floods.

- Our world is noble, given that this much money was collected. Wherever help was needed, it responded. We have not forgotten Fojnica, nor Kiseljak. Immediately after the floods, we allocated a portion of the funds through our majlises to help those who suffered the most.

We have been in constant contact with our majlises and chief imams. We received damage assessments from the Civil Protection, sent to us by our majlises, and we decided to allocate a portion of the funds as aid to those whose property was damaged by the floods - said Malanović.

He added that part of the funds will also be allocated to the residents of Jablanica and Konjic in the coming period.

- We are in contact with our majlises on the ground and are also talking with the mayors of Jablanica and Konjic. From the Jablanica Municipality, we are still waiting for the administrative procedure to be completed so we can start the construction project. Unfortunately, we have not yet received a response.

In the Konjic municipality area, we are on the verge of starting the construction of nine standard houses, where almost all documentation and permits are completed, the projects are already finished, and we expect the start of works in the next two weeks. Our partner in construction is Merhamet - said Malanović.

The chief imam of the Islamic Community of Fojnica, Edin-ef. Rojo, said that the Islamic Community is always with its congregation, and it has shown this in this case as well.

- The Islamic Community immediately after the floods provided certain funds which we handed over to families. Also, after that, a collection was organised in all our mosques.

The commission carried out a damage assessment on the ground, and after that assessment, we sent a request for fund approval. Understanding the seriousness of the situation in Jablanica, we requested a modest sum, and the Islamic Community fully granted our request - said Efendi Rojo.

Kenan-ef. Bajrić, the chief imam of the Islamic Community of Kiseljak, which also includes Kreševo, emphasised that part of the Islamic Community's mission is to stand by its people and respond to difficult moments such as these situations.

- We immediately did everything we could to talk to people and be at their service, especially those who lived alone. A few days later, we brought everything needed, food packages, blankets and hygiene items. I know it was the same in other communities; that is part of our mission. It is interesting that our people are ready to help so much, especially through our Islamic Community - said Bajrić.

Today, funds were allocated to three families in Fojnica and five families in Kiseljak. They assessed this aid from the people and the Islamic Community as very significant.

Amar Kurta from Ostružnica emphasised how important and especially proud he is of the fact that they have not been forgotten.

- The Islamic Community was the first to provide both moral and financial help, which came in handy in these difficult moments. My heart is as big as a mountain that our people also collected this money through the collection for people affected by the floods - said Amar.

Izeta Bećirović from Kiseljak recalled the moments of the terrible flood, which "came and took everything away".

- That day, our Efendi Kenan-ef. appeared and brought as much funds as they could from the Majlis. Today he called us; it is important to us that the Islamic Community is with us, it is our closest in good times and bad - said Izeta.

Their impressions were also shared by Mulija Ahbabović from Kreševo and Elvir Salčinović from Dusina near Fojnica.

- If it weren't for the Islamic Community, our efendi from Kreševo who was with us from the day of the floods, no one else was there. This means a lot to us; from the beginning, the Islamic Community has been with us all the way to today - said Ahbabović.

Moral and financial support, as Salčinović said, is very significant because the damage caused is great.

- It is a big job; others promised us, but only the Islamic Community provided direct help - he said.

Let us recall, the Reis-ul-Ulema Husein-ef. Kavazović, on the second day, together with a delegation from the Riyasat, visited the flooded areas of Jablanica and Konjic, expressed support and condolences to the families of the victims, and said that the Community will get involved to help these areas as much as it can.

On the same day, the Sarajevo Mufti, Prof. Dr. Nedžad Grabus, together with associates and chief imams, visited the houses and families affected by the floods in Fojnica and Kiseljak.