Muftija Dedović: Systemic discrimination is at play in Mostar

(Patria) - At a press conference held on the occasion of the Days of Mevlud and Dhikr, Mostar Muftija Dr. Salem-ef. Dedović also answered journalists' questions about current socio-political developments in the city, with a special focus on the issue of land and the construction of religious buildings in the central city zone.

When asked by journalists about "developments in recent months" and frequent disagreements that, as stated, disrupt the social environment, despite religious holidays such as Easter and Eid, the muftija first clarified certain statements related to the presence of the Islamic Community in the central zone of Mostar.

– Let me just correct what you said regarding religious buildings in the central zone. The Islamic Community is not insisting on a religious building in the central zone. Let that be known, we need to state the following: The Islamic Community has withdrawn and offered a compromise solution for the central zone and proposed the concept of building the Mevlana Intercultural Center. This is a cultural project of an integrative cultural nature. The Islamic Community has no ambition to build a sacred building in the central zone. But it has the ambition to fight for the sacred space of Lakišića harem – said Muftija Dedović.

He pointed out that, unlike the Islamic Community, other religious communities have started construction of sacred buildings in the central city zone.

– As the second cathedral has been started in the central zone, as you know. The Islamic Community seeks consistent application of the law, equal for everyone, without double standards – emphasized the muftija.

He also recalled the recent public appeal requesting a comprehensive check of the legality of construction in Mostar.

– The Muftija of Mostar publicly announced an appeal ten days ago and called for a revision, control, and verification of all permits for all buildings in the city over the last 30 or more years to ascertain the situation – he said.

He added that the Islamic Community, according to him, has consistently respected legal procedures since the end of the war.

– The Islamic Community has consistently respected laws and legality since the end of the war and has consistently approached the competent authorities, submitting requests for building permits, both for buildings destroyed during the aggression against Mostar and for new buildings – he stated.

He highlighted the actions of the city administration, which operates with methods of selectivity and procrastination, as the key problem.

– The fact that the authorities in Mostar have been inconsistent, and have not resolved certain requests of the Islamic Community within the legal deadline, thereby politicizing certain requests, as well as politicizing this request for the Mevlana Intercultural Center, and this issue that has become current regarding the construction of the mosque in Gornji Zalik – the Islamic Community has fulfilled all its obligations – he said.

He commented on the issuance of permits by the city authorities:

– The fact that the authorities did not issue a building permit, and subsequently a usage permit, is something called a game of hide-and-seek, or a game of manipulation, or a game of inconsistency. And this mosque was not built without the tacit consent, or rather with the tacit consent of the then administration of the City of Mostar, headed by the late Ljubo Bešlić – emphasized the muftija.

Speaking about the current city authorities, the muftija directly addressed the administration and the current mayor.

– The fact that in the current administration of Mario Kordić, cases are kept in drawers and none of them are resolved, dozens of such cases of the Islamic Community, leads us to simply suspect pure intentions, consistent application of the law, a policy of double standards, and something that does not contribute to peaceful life and coexistence – he said.

He pointed to the need for institutional dialogue and a systematic approach as a possible solution for overcoming disagreements.

– The best way to get out of this situation is to resolve disputed cases or disputed matters, which exist concerning both public buildings and public symbols erected in public spaces, and religious buildings, regardless of who they belong to, which community, and which confession. Therefore, all relevant institutions, with the supervision we have requested, should sit down at the table and resolve it in that manner – he conveyed.

He added that such an approach would contribute to the stabilization of the situation in the city.

– It would be a contribution to peace, a contribution to understanding, a contribution to life, and in that way, finally, if we saw even a little goodwill from the administration, Mostar could overcome what you are observing, and what all well-intentioned people are observing – he concluded.

To a further journalist's question about possible political motives behind the city administration's actions, including theses about Mostar as a "table" or nationally defined city, the muftija was explicit that, as he says, it is not about passivity but about conscious policy.

– It is not the administration's silence, but it is a consistent policy. A consistent policy that is being implemented and has revived during the term of Mayor Kordić. That policy had subsided, and we could say that Mostar had an upward trajectory in building peace and trust, civic, inter-ethnic, and inter-religious trust – he said.

However, as he added, the current approach of the city authorities, in his view, is going in the opposite direction.

– With this policy that Mayor Kordić has and pursues, it contributes to nothing good and does not contribute to understanding, calming, and building trust. Behind this is not silence, but systemic discrimination. We state this openly and have arguments to support it – concluded Muftija Dedović.