From Mosques No State, From Sevdah No System: A Bosnian Guide to Salvation

By Mustafa Cerić

In a brilliant moment of intellectual reach, another gem of contemporary wisdom shone on the intellectual sky of Bosnia and Herzegovina: "Going to mosques will not save the state nor save Bosnia," said Professor Husnija Kamberović, and remained alive. Resoundingly, resolutely, bravely like a guerrilla in a library. Perhaps he even thought that these words would awaken the nation from a centuries-long slumber, as another classic would say. Because, how could it not: everything that needed to be said about the survival of a state - fits into one sentence, and one that excludes mosques. How elegant. How academic. How European.

Now, let's put it logically: if mosques won't save the state, will - shopping malls? Karl Marx? Parking at SCC? Or perhaps seasonal discounts at JYSK? If faith is no good, and disbelief is not valued either, maybe we should collectively switch to a modern religion - management?

Mr. Kamberović, that self-effacing apostle of sober reason and measured distance, bravely reminds us that the problem of the state is not in moral desolation, but, clearly, in excessive prayer. Because it is known: as soon as someone prays the noon prayer, they automatically dismantle institutions. The jamaat - that is the new political cartel. Like Dodik, but in slippers.

We should not, of course, forget the deeper message of this statement. It is not just an observation, but a manifesto. A manifesto of a new Bosnian enlightenment that clearly says: "You are the problem because you pray, not because you are being robbed." Because, obviously, when mosques disappear - here come the institutions! When Eid holidays are abolished - judicial reform begins. When ritual ablution is collectively banned - an investment boom starts.
How did no one realize this before?

In this brave new world, to save Bosnia, we must give up everything Bosnian. Not mosques, not ćevapi, not even Mehmedalija Mak. Perhaps we should create some kind of liberal-atheist curriculum: "How to love Bosnia without a single Bosnian." Module 1: "Deconstruction of the mosque as a political entity"; Module 2: "Critical singing of the anthem without lyrics"; Module 3: "EU integration as a religious rite".

Because, you know, the salvation of Bosnia is not in prayer, not in faith, not in the people, not even in language, nor in history - it is in something higher. Something abstract. Something that Berlin will say, then Sarajevo Times will report, and then the EU Delegation will announce over free canapés.

And while the people push carts through Bingo markets, trying to save the state through discounts and VAT, intellectuals like Kamberović tirelessly watch over the truth. They know: one should not pray. One should pray that no one else prays.

Because, to paraphrase another philosopher who did not go to mosque, but knew something about irony - if we don't save anything, at least we'll know who to blame.

Eid Mubarak!

Hižaslav - may our Bosnian home always be in the mercy of the Almighty with the Bosnian adhan! Amen!