Bosniak Representatives Sign Joint Declaration: Bosnia and Herzegovina is Not a Space of 'Clash of Civilizations'

(Patria) - In the Gazi Husrev-beg Library in Sarajevo today, 33 representatives of Bosniak academic, political, cultural, social, and religious life signed a joint declaration warning of a malicious campaign against Bosniaks and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and rejecting attempts to impose a narrative of a "clash of civilizations".

The signing of the "Declaration on Condemnation of Hate Speech, Islamophobia, and False Narratives about Bosniaks and Bosnia and Herzegovina" was initiated by the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bosniak Cultural Community, Merhamet, and the Council of Bosniak Intellectuals.

The declaration was signed by the current Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, former members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives from the legislative and executive authorities at the state and federal levels, as well as representatives of political parties, and representatives of Bosniak academic, cultural, charitable, and religious institutions.



Reisul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein-ef. Kavazović, on behalf of the initiators, thanked the signatories for responding.

"We are here with a sense of responsibility towards the moment our homeland and our people are in," said the Reisul-ulema.

He pointed out two messages that the signatories of the Declaration are sending today from the Gazi Husrev-beg Library, "united around a common stance on a social phenomenon that concerns all Bosniaks, as well as other peoples of this country".

"First, this is an extremely important message to Bosniaks, as the most numerous people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that their political, academic, religious, cultural, and social representatives have gathered around an important social issue and have an undivided stance on it.

Second, today's message is equally important to our fellow citizens from the other two constituent peoples, as well as other citizens of this country, that there are no responsible representatives of the Bosniak people who accept the narrative of dividing society and the country, nor public space in BiH.

The narrative of a 'clash of civilizations' and religious intolerance has no interlocutors among Bosniak representatives," the Reisul-ulema stated.

He added that this message is equally important for friends outside Bosnia and Herzegovina, both in the East and the West.



"Our historical experience of living together with others and tolerance among peoples and religions can be an example to all, and we will resolutely preserve this value of ours. I want to congratulate you on this brave and responsible act.

I hope that we will continue to gather around important national and state issues in the future and confirm unified stances on what our proven and lasting values are," said the Reisul-ulema.

The Declaration signed today categorically rejects claims of alleged endangerment of Christians and widespread antisemitism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, assessing them as part of a broader campaign to demonize Bosniaks and justify secessionist policies.

It warns that similar narratives have historical continuity and preceded war crimes and genocide against Bosniaks, and calls for a reaction from judicial institutions to hate speech.

The signatories simultaneously emphasize their commitment to preserving peace and mutual respect, and condemn any form of intolerance towards any people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The declaration also highlights historical examples of Bosniak resolutions from World War II and later initiatives against extremism, confirming the continuity of anti-fascist and pluralistic action.

It is particularly emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a space of a "clash of civilizations", but a society where different traditions and identities meet.



The signatories also point out that Islam has played a constructive role in shaping Bosniak identity, just as Christianity has in forming other European peoples, including the peoples living with Bosniaks in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in neighboring countries, and that this identity is not in conflict with the democratic and secular order of the state.

It is clearly stated that Bosniaks, as a European people, have the right to full political subjectivity, like all other peoples, and that claims that they cannot be a free political people, with all their specificities, represent a continuation of a genocidal project.

Furthermore, it is warned that historical revisionism, Islamophobia, and political manipulations pose a threat to the stability of the state.

The signatories of the Declaration also confirmed their clear commitment to the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, preserving peace, and strengthening interreligious dialogue, with the expectation that international actors will also remain consistent with these principles.