Interreligious Council: Condemnation of the ban on religious services and call for respect for faith

(Patria) - In light of recent cases of jeopardizing the right to freedom of religion, such as incidents at the Kravice waterfalls complex and the disruption of prayer in public spaces in Široki Brijeg, which have caused diverse media commentary, the Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina considers it imperative to react.

We condemn any form of banning religious services and any restriction of the right to freely express one's faith.

We call on all people of faith to respect each other, their neighbors, and guests in our homeland, and to bear witness through their example to the diversity and richness of life in diversity. May faith unite us, not divide us.

Government authorities have a legal obligation to enable all believers the rights and freedoms that arise from the Law on Freedom of Religion and the Legal Status of Churches and Religious Communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Also, we note that prayer, whether individual or collective, must not be used as a means of polarization or provocation in society, as this is contrary to the very spirit of prayer.