Muftija Dedović: The honor and dignity of Bosniaks in Mostar and Herzegovina are not for sale or trade

(Patria) - Muftija of Mostar Salem-ef. Dedović led the Bayram prayer this morning in the Sinan-Pasha (Atik) Mosque in Mostar, where the central Bayram celebration for the Mostar Muftiate area was held. A total of 163 mosques and masjids across the area performed the Bayram prayer.

In his sermon, the muftija spoke about the spiritual and moral values of the Hajj pilgrimage and the regulations related to the sacrifice of qurban, emphasizing the importance of sincere intentions, piety, and renunciation of egoism and transient values.

Through current civilizational and social trends, the muftija addressed the spiritual and moral values of the Hajj pilgrimage and the regulations related to the slaughter of qurban in his Bayram sermon. He interpreted the foundational religious principles of sacrifice and selflessness, based on the monotheism of Ibrahim (a.s.) and the practice of Muhammad (a.s.), as the path to achieving enduring and timeless values.

“Allah (swt) wants Muslims to have pure intentions and piety in their hearts, realizing through the sacrifice of qurban that if they want to consistently follow the faith of Ibrahim, they must sacrifice all that is dear to their hearts and souls. Each of us has attachments that hold us back, that prevent us from being better, more attentive, more decisive, and more persistent. And each of us, individually, knows ourselves and knows what we should sacrifice. Sometimes it is human egoism and obsession with oneself and one's own interests, sometimes it is the appearance, obscure populism, and polished exterior without any substance. In some cases, it is formalism and a lack of persistence in fulfilling assumed public obligations and duties in society, while in others, it is missing opportunities and a lack of consideration for not postponing what should be done today until tomorrow,” emphasized the muftija.

Interpreting the rites of Hajj, he said that it is a journey with a clear purpose in which all worldly human needs and desires are put aside so that human hearts can reach the primordial longings of faith at the Sacred House, the refuge of human souls and their needs.

“Circumambulation (tawaf) around the Kaaba sends a message of constant and purposeful movement in life around what is of real value, around what is the essence and source of our existence. Let us ask ourselves, is our movement in life in search of values, and do these values and virtues ennoble our lives? Do we strive for enduring values, or are we deceived by the glitter of transience, surrendering our hearts, souls, and minds to that which has no permanence,” warned the muftija.

Commenting on the symbolism of Hajj, the equal treatment of all people and creatures, the muftija recalled the speech of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) at the Farewell Pilgrimage, in which he strictly forbade believers from being oppressors, but also from being oppressed, and commanded them to protect their own honor and the honor of others.

“Persisting in the city of Mostar and Herzegovina as a whole, for the rights and freedoms of Bosniaks without deficiency, but also without excess, in relation to others, represents an act of consistency in the struggle for honor and dignity that are not for sale or trade. Lakišić's waqf in the center of the City cannot be a place for the division of Mostar, but a place where this generation passes a historical test in ensuring freedom, justice, and equality,” said muftija Dedović in his Bayram sermon.

In the end, he invited believers to share the joy of the blessed Bayram with their loved ones, neighbors, friends, the sick, and those who feel forgotten and grieved.