Pre-Ramadan Address by Kavazović to BiH Armed Forces Members

(Patria) - The Rais al-ulama of the Islamic Community in BiH, Husein ef. Kavazović, held a pre-Ramadan lecture on March 31, 2022, at the BiH Armed Forces Hall in Sarajevo for members of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of BiH. This traditional pre-Ramadan gathering, attended by the Minister of Defense of BiH Sifet Podžić, the generals of the BiH Armed Forces led by the Chief of the Joint Staff of the BiH Armed Forces Lieutenant General Senad Mašović, assistant ministers and employees of the Ministry of Defense of BiH, and members of the Armed Forces of BiH, organized by the Military Muftiate and Military Mufti Hadis ef. Pašalić, was an opportunity for Rais al-ulama Husein ef. Kavazović to deliver a series of messages related to the spiritual renewal that the month of Ramadan brings, both individually and for the community in general.

At the beginning of his address, the Rais al-ulama of the Islamic Community in BiH stated that he is always filled with feelings of pride when he meets with members of the BiH Armed Forces, because the BiH Armed Forces are a special part of our society, whose members inspire hope and provide security to people, and in this regard, he expressed respect for all who have contributed to the formation and strengthening of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During his address, Rais al-ulama Kavazović emphasized the exceptional importance of faith in the life of every person, including members of the BiH Armed Forces, and that a person is in a constant struggle between their capabilities and desires. The month of Ramadan is the right opportunity to find the desired balance, and it is an opportunity for a new life experience, an opportunity for a new awakening and refreshment of the soul.

"Fasting is a new, close encounter with the Source from which everything originated. Life came from that Source and developed in the magnificent splendor of its expressions. Life also flows from that Source to human hearts, which it stirs and delights, just as nature trembles and shines in spring," said the Rais al-ulama in his message.

"Fasting ensures the flow of awareness of God's omnipresence through every pore of a person's personality, so that it encompasses and permeates their entire being and all organs. Thus, a person who is fasting becomes different, calmer, nobler, and more beautiful," emphasized Dr. Kavazović.

The Rais al-ulama concluded his Ramadan message with an appeal to the members of the BiH Armed Forces to continue building trust and nurturing good relationships with others, because that is the path for our society to recover, stabilize, and progress, which is the desire of all normal and well-intentioned people in our country.

He also expressed his wish that Ramadan provides us all with new momentum and activates positive currents, and congratulated the upcoming month of Ramadan with the words Ramazan šerif mubarek olsun!

On this occasion, the Minister of Defense of BiH Sifet Podžić also conveyed his Ramadan message, emphasizing the importance of the existence of the Religious Service in the Ministry of Defense and BiH Armed Forces, whose representatives fully contribute to spreading messages of mutual respect, understanding, and the importance of peace, thereby ensuring important prerequisites for the professional and successful functioning of our institution.

"In April, we will promote the values of Ramadan fasting, but also in this month, we will celebrate Easter and Vaskrs, the great Catholic and Orthodox holidays, respectively. We view all of this together as a great Bosnian-Herzegovinian good that should bring us closer together in community and mutual respect, strengthening our human and professional relationships, which we sincerely look forward to," said Minister Podžić.

Finally, Minister Podžić congratulated all those who live the values of Islam on the upcoming Ramadan, wishing it to be filled with health and abundant divine blessings.