Mufti Ševko ef. Omerbašić passes away

(Patria) - After a short illness, Mufti Ševko-ef. Omerbašić passed away last night.

"It is difficult to find words to describe the significance and contribution of Mufti Ševko-ef. Omerbašić to the development of the Islamic Community in Croatia and society as a whole, and therefore his departure leaves a great void. It is certain that the mark he left is indelible, and we will remember him as a leader on the path of good, an unwavering fighter for rights and justice, tireless in helping those in need, a dear and caring muallim and professor," announced the Islamic Community in Croatia.

Mufti Ševko-ef. Omerbašić was born on June 9, 1945, in Ustikolina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to mother Esma (Imamović) and father Dervo, as the first of four children in the family.

After completing four grades of elementary school, he enrolled in the Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa in Sarajevo, which at that time lasted eight years, and he completed it in 1964.

From 1964 to 1969, he was an imam in Rudo and Ustikolina, from where he went to study in Libya, at the University of Benghazi, where he graduated from the Faculty of Arabic Language and Islamic Sciences in 1974.

From May 8, 1975, until his retirement in 2012, he worked in Zagreb, where he held the positions of chief imam, and then mufti and first president of the Meshihat of the Islamic Community in Croatia (until 1994, also for Slovenia).

He made an immeasurable contribution to the development of the Islamic Community in Croatia and Slovenia, its infrastructure, and the opening of jamaats, as well as the organization of the Community's work and activities. He made a special contribution to the construction of the Zagreb Mosque and is most responsible for its construction and opening. He was a member of the Rijaset of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He made a significant contribution to the recognition of the Republic of Croatia after its independence, for which he also received a state decoration. During the aggression against the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, he made a great contribution to the care of refugees and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

He is the author of numerous articles and books and has participated in numerous scientific symposia, conferences, and meetings.