Islamic Community warns of systematic Islamophobic campaign targeting Bosniaks and Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Patria) - The Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina warns the domestic and international public that in recent days a systematic Islamophobic campaign has evidently been launched targeting Bosniaks and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- In public appearances by radical right-wing politicians from the homeland, the region and the world, as well as in quasi-scientific texts, an imaginary "Islamic threat" is being constructed, solely because a significant part of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina identify as Muslims. Islam in the political, public and cultural life of Bosniaks, and thus of Bosnia and Herzegovina, plays the same role that Christianity in its various denominations, with minor specificities, plays among other peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in other regional and European secular states and societies - states the press release from the Public Relations Office of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in BiH.

It adds that it is shameful today to accuse of "demographic opportunism" a people who survived genocide and who were exposed to systematic and organized crimes of extermination for more than four years, and whose biological substance was destroyed over a large part of the country where they had lived for centuries.

For the Islamic Community, it is particularly concerning that individuals who do not hide their hatred of Islam, Muslims, and everything that does not fit into their racist and supremacist worldview are given space in state institutions and that their views are broadcast in state and public media without any official condemnation.

- And while we respect the right to public political and social debate on all open issues, it cannot be a justification for promoting exclusive ideologies that further polarize Bosnian society and undermine the already fragile trust and peace-building process among peoples. Sowing hatred and mistrust, and blaming the victims of genocide for having survived and endured and for wanting to build with others a Bosnia and Herzegovina as a democratic and open society that equally respects the rights of individuals and peoples, is not the path to a better future for these areas - the statement says.
It is emphasized that it is clear to all who objectively follow the situation that Bosniaks, through their political representatives, do not seek for themselves in Bosnia and Herzegovina anything that they are not ready to guarantee to all other peoples and citizens.

- Those who think they will mobilize world public opinion against Bosniaks and Bosnia and Herzegovina based on a fabricated fear of Islam and thus secure unprincipled concessions to the detriment of Bosniaks and a sovereign and integral Bosnia and Herzegovina, we warn that they will only further complicate relations and make it more difficult to reach any long-term solution, including a political one. Because the key to peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina is building trust and respecting all components of society - the statement says.

The Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina calls on all responsible domestic politicians, media and academic community, as well as friends of this country around the world, to oppose this malicious campaign and to recognize its danger to interpersonal relations and trust.

- Such open attacks on the Islamic identity of Bosniaks will not shake the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it will, with its imams, professors, members and adherents, remain committed to promoting interreligious dialogue, understanding and open-minded religiosity that promotes unity in diversity - concludes the statement from the Public Relations Office of the Riyasat.