Central Ceremony of the Religious-Cultural Event 'Lastavica 2023' Held

(Patria) - With a religious program on the Lastavica plateau, and in the presence of a large number of believers, the religious-cultural event "Lastavica 2023" concluded today.

The president of the Organizing Committee of this event, the mufti of Zenica, hafiz
prof. dr. Mevludin-ef. Dizdarević, pointed out the significance of the prayer site, emphasizing that
Lastavica is a story about history that is ours and no one else's.

"Every opportunity where Bosniaks gather, socialize, and rejoice is
an opportunity that is significant and should be used to talk about the common good. Lastavica is a place where Bosniaks have gathered for a thousand years, in various formats, and the basic idea of their gathering is to discuss the common good.

Of course, we will use this Lastavica for that as well, but we will also use it to send certain messages that are important for our people, our future, our survival," stated mufti Dizdarević.

The envoy of the reisu-l-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina at this
event was the mufti of Ljubljana, mr. Nevzet-ef. Porić, who pointed out the importance of maintaining a long-standing tradition.

"Lastavica is an important place for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for Bosniaks. The month of July
in Bosnia and Herzegovina and for the Bosniak people is marked by sorrows, commemorations of the suffering of our people. This is, however, a different kind of event, an opportunity for gathering and joy," said mufti Porić.

He assessed that by coming to Lastavica, we "actually protect our homeland".

"Bosnia and Herzegovina is attacked from all sides, and gatherings like this and similar ones
serve to strengthen our identity. From this place, we send a message that we want Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country of diversity. As Bosniaks, we want this to be a common state where we will all enjoy. We want to send a message of unity, of the community (džemata), we must strengthen our ranks, and in that way, we will preserve our homeland," mufti Porić conveyed.

The program, due to unfavorable weather conditions, was carried out in a modified
form and concluded with the recitation of the Lastavica prayer. The "Lastavica 2023" event began on July 28 and included numerous religious, cultural, and sports activities.