Solemn Academy Held on the Occasion of the 112th Anniversary of the Ilmiyya Association

(Patria) - The Ilmiyya Association of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which brings together imams, muallims, employees of the Islamic Community, as well as religious teachers, muderrises, and professors of Islamic faculties, organized a solemn academy today at the Gazi Husrev-beg Library in Sarajevo on the occasion of its 112th anniversary of existence and activity.

The academy was addressed by the Rais al-Ulama of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein-ef. Kavazović, and the President of the Ilmiyya Association, military mufti Nesib-ef. Hadžić.

"The motto of celebrating this anniversary is: The Imam in the Focus of the Community and is a kind of preparation for the work that lies ahead of us. Our imams are constantly among the people and share their concerns, worries, and anxieties, and they are the most credible advocates of their needs, which is very important for the stability of the community and for the reputation of the Community. Therefore, we will respect their voice, considering it the most authentic and acting upon it as much as possible," said the Rais al-Ulama in his address to the attendees.

He emphasized that the times we live in are burdened with various social problems.

"Every day we witness the struggle of various groups and individuals who represent different social interests, be it social, national, economic, cultural, gender, or others. We must remain committed to our religious, Islamic values: brotherhood, equality, harmony, social justice, neighborliness; firmly advocate for them and fight for them. We must remain clear and loud in distinguishing truth from falsehood, justice from injustice, good from evil. We cannot agree to the blurring of moral and ethical boundaries, because for us, good and evil are not the same," stated, among other things, Rais al-Ulama Husein-ef. Kavazović.

The President of the Association, Nesib-ef. Hadžić, stated that the Association has its mission in time and space.

"We want to highlight the imams, their roles, and talk about them – as leaders in the community. A community without an imam is a community without a foundation at some basic level. There can be, and there are, communities, mosques, and Muslims, but if there is no imam, there is no organized religious community. Where there is an imam, the community will move forward, regardless of the circumstances, because there is someone leading that community," he stated.

The contribution of imams to society is both comprehensive and complex, he added.

"As bearers of missionary work in the community, imams affirm ethics and universal ethical principles, care for vulnerable community members, organize activities for youth, and initiate activities that improve the quality of life in the community and society. Like the generations before us who set certain standards, we truly want to leave a mark behind us. Therefore, this jubilee holds immeasurable significance not only for the members of the association but also for the entire Community, because the idea, mission, and goal unite us," said Hadžić.

On this occasion, the Ilmiyya Association's plaque "Friend of the Ulema" was awarded to the Government of the Una-Sana Canton, which was received by the Prime Minister's advisor Esad Bašagić.

As part of the solemn academy, the Rais al-Ulama and the President of the Association presented awards and gifts to imams and muallims who retired during the past year: Habib Hadžimejlić, Meliha Čišija, Zemka Nezo, Mulaim Omić, Ajiša Zambaković, hafiz Husein-ef. Čajlaković, mr. Sulejman-ef. Čeliković, hafiz Nurija-ef. Čikarić, Ibrahim-ef. Ćatić, Ajdin-ef. Džafić, Bego-ef. Hrnčić, Sead-ef. Husić, Hikmet-ef. Kaltak, Jasmin-ef. Memić, Hamdija-ef. Nesimović. former military mufti Hadis-ef. Pašalić, former president of the Ilmiyya Association and employee of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community Mensur-ef. Pašalić, mr. Sulejman-ef. Posavljak, prof. Ibrahim-ef. Redžić, Mirsad-ef. Sedić, Sejfo-ef. Seferović, Rahman-ef. Skejić, mr.

Ibrahim-ef. Softić, Raif-ef. Tašaković, Mirsad-ef. Velić, and Alija-ef. Zaketović.

Also, on the occasion of the Association's anniversary and the 32nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Mustafa-ef. Mujkanović, the first imam killed during the aggression against the homeland, the Tuzla mufti dr. Vahid-ef. Fazlović opened an exhibition titled "The Personality and Work of Mustafa-ef.
Mujkanović". The authors of this exhibition are Meho Manjgo and Emir Šečić.

"Through efforts to responsibly and worthily preserve the memory of our martyrs, and to permanently learn from the difficult trials that Bosniaks went through and from the courageous struggle of our predecessors, this exhibition represents an exceptionally valuable contribution. Its significance is further enhanced by the fact that it was organized on the occasion of the Ilmiyya Association's anniversary," said mufti Fazlović.

Mustafa-ef. Mujkanović was the imam of the City Mosque in Bratunac and the chief imam of the Majlis of the Islamic Community Bratunac, the first martyr among imams, who was brutally killed on May 13, 1992, after days of torture. His life and work are presented on the exhibition panels.

Before the solemn academy, a khatma prayer was recited for the souls of the martyred imams at the Memorial to the Martyred Imams in front of the Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa.