Ilidža Municipality Celebrated Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJevo, (Patria) - On the occasion of November 25th, Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Ceremonial Session of the Ilidža Municipal Council was held today.

In his address to numerous dignitaries and guests, the Mayor of Ilidža Municipality, Nermin Muzur, spoke about the historical significance of the First Session of the State Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"On the night of November 25th to 26th, 1943, at the First Session of ZAVNOBiH in Mrkonjić Grad, the decision was made to restore the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its historical borders dating back to the medieval Bosnian era were confirmed. The most important conclusion of ZAVNOBiH was that Bosnia and Herzegovina was defined as a unique, indivisible entity in which all its citizens would have equal rights," said Municipal Mayor Nermin Muzur, adding:

"The values from the First Session of ZAVNOBIH in 1943 were defended by our best sons and daughters during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995. Thank God, we witness today that they succeeded in defending it. In Ilidža, we know well what it was like during the aggression to defend what was defined in 1943. Our grandfathers, fathers, brothers, mothers, and sisters gave their lives, parts of their bodies. Some perhaps gave the best years of their lives so that we could gather here today and mark the anniversary of one of the most significant dates in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

Mayor Muzur emphasized that the importance of local communities in the functioning of the state is not insignificant at all, quite the contrary.

"We in Ilidža Municipality believe that the most important cells in our homeland, the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, are precisely local communities and municipalities. Therefore, through our effort, work, and dedication, we strive to be the healthiest, strongest, and best cell of Bosnia and Herzegovina because we truly believe that this is the best path to prosperity, preservation, and progress of our country," the municipal mayor stated, and expressed immense gratitude to all present for their selfless contribution on that path.

"I sincerely hope that, officially or unofficially, we will show that we are the best cell of Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Mayor Muzur, and then extended sincere congratulations to all Bosnians and Herzegovinians on the occasion of the Statehood Day of our only homeland - Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Speaker of the Ilidža Municipal Council, Tarik Stambolić, reminded that the principles established at the First Session of ZAVNOBIH have never been more needed.

"Today, as we celebrate November 25th, Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the principles established at the First Session of ZAVNOBIH have never been more needed. Therefore, I ask you to convey from today's Council session the love and sense of belonging to our homeland Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in this challenging time, to have faith in each other and to be persistent in building a stable and modern Bosnia and Herzegovina," said the Speaker of the Ilidža Municipal Council, Tarik Stambolić.

The former member of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ejup Ganić, reminded the present dignitaries and guests that, historically speaking, Ilidža has always gathered an elite.

"Historically, Ilidža gathered an elite in Roman times, in the Ottoman era, in the Austro-Hungarian era, and even during Tito's regime, it was quite lively. Now it is up to this younger generation, the mayor is young, his associates are young, to restore Ilidža's age-old splendor and for this to be a volcano of success for breakthroughs in many areas," said academician Ganić, adding:

"In every country where there is even one percent more than 50 percent, that country has a future. There are far more of us who are for Bosnia, and we have learned everything."

As part of the celebration of BiH Statehood Day, a delegation from Ilidža Municipality, led by Mayor Nermin Muzur, Speaker of the Ilidža Municipal Council Tarik Stambolić, and his deputies Samir Avdić and Redžo Lemezan, paid tribute to martyrs and fallen soldiers by laying flowers at the Central Memorial in Ilidža and at the Monument to the NOR Fighters in Ilidža.

Representatives of political parties, associations, and organizations from the Ilidža municipality also attended today's celebration of the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Finally, on behalf of the Ilidža Municipality and Mayor Nermin Muzur, we wish all Bosnians and Herzegovinians a happy Statehood Day of our only homeland.