NiP's Reaction: Inappropriate Statements by Komšić and Radončić

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - In response to the statements by SBB President Fahrudin Radončić and DF President Željko Komšić, in which they disparagingly spoke about imams and respected members of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, People and Justice (NiP) reacted by stating that such insults are inappropriate and unacceptable.

“The statement by SBB leader Fahrudin Radončić that a Sarajevo imam is radical, and an imam of a mosque in whose courtyard the seat of the Reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community in BiH is located, is dangerous on multiple levels. Such a statement comes at a time when we are receiving insults from Serbia about Sarajevo being a 'džamahirija' (a derogatory term implying excessive Islamization), and identical terminology about 'radicals' is constantly served to us from Zagreb and other Islamophobic circles. With such irresponsible statements, imams are being targeted, and it is particularly dangerous when the future Minister of Security of BiH does it,” the NiP reaction states.

People and Justice calls for the Islamic Community in BiH not to be used in political showdowns, as it is an institution of immeasurable importance and the foundation of Bosniak spirituality in BiH, the region, and the diaspora.

“We reject with disgust the statements by Željko Komšić that 'Konaković will not share money with efendis.' We have explained on several occasions that the president of People and Justice and the Speaker of the KS Assembly, Elmedin Konaković, donated money to the Majlis of the Islamic Community Sarajevo, meaning to an institution, not an individual. We are proud of that donation to the Islamic Community, just as we are proud of donations to other religious communities, humanitarian organizations, veterans' associations, returnees in Srebrenica, etc. We regret that Komšić has sided with those who, instead of showing solidarity with imams, show solidarity with tycoons who have not paid for water and waste disposal for years, who steal in tenders…” the NiP statement says, listing those who received donations:

“Women Victims of War,” “Forum of Parliamentarians,” “Preporod,” “Serb Civic Council,” “Croatian National Council in BiH,” “Association of Golden Lilies and Golden Police Badges,” returning team “FK Podrinje-Janja,” “Hagada,” “Members of the MUP of RBiH Police 1991-1995,” “Parents of Murdered Children of Sarajevo,” “Society of Physicists,” the Diabetic National Team that won gold at the European Championship, “KK Real Way,” “KUD Saobraćajac,” “KUD Osman Džafić,” “Sports Aviators”...

Furthermore, People and Justice rejects as completely malicious and untrue the claims about former mufti Muamer Zukorlić and his alleged influence in Sarajevo Canton, referring to Komšić's statement that he is “against Zukorlić and for Mario Nenadić.”

“We regret that Komšić has stooped to that level of deception and falsehood; we did not expect that from a patriot. Sarajevo Canton is in no way governed by Zukorlić, but by those who have declared their assets, who have clearly said no to nepotism and corruption, those who identify as Bosnians, Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs, those whose names are Edin, Srđan, Lejla, Admir, Danijela... We are aware that the majority in the new coalition is held by various Budnje, Ćesiri, Sarajlići, Hubijari, and others, whose arrogance the public is already well aware of. Komšić could best inform himself about the future coalition partner at the Municipal Court in Sarajevo, where a trial is currently underway for part of the top SDA leadership for the crime we have been warning about for years,” the statement concludes.