Reis Kavazović: We are discriminated against by our own state

(Patria) - We are concerned about what we hear from a member of the Presidency of BiH, (Milorad Dodik, ed.) that the Islamic Community in BiH is asking for more than the two churches, the Catholic and Orthodox, which have signed an Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina, said the Rais al-Ulama of the Islamic Community in BiH, Husein efendija Kavazović, in an interview with "Jedan".

The Islamic Community has been waiting for more than two decades to sign an Agreement with the state, claims Reis Kavazović, noting that until the agreement is signed, the Islamic Community and individual Muslims have the option to turn to the courts to protect their rights.

"It is a more difficult path, but we will continue to do so and to challenge the discrimination imposed on us. We are the largest religious group in BiH and we have been brought into a position of being discriminated against by our own state, which is absurd. Of course, especially since both the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church have given their consent, in a way, to the text proposed by the Council of Ministers. Therefore, they did not express their opposition, they supported the IC in signing that Agreement. What is the background of all this? Probably the politicization of everything in BiH, including this issue," says Reis Kavazović.

DECIDEDLY AGAINST THE ABUSE OF RELIGION

The Islamic Community recognized the danger of our citizens going to foreign battlefields after the emergence of the so-called "Islamic State" and clearly stated that this is unacceptable, assesses Reis Kavazović, stating that the state of BiH must prevent such behavior.

"I think that terrorists, those we qualify as 'Islamic terrorists', deliberately abuse religion. Deliberately. The very cries of 'Allahu Akbar', which means glorifying God, put us Muslims in a position where we are qualified as some kind of threat. I believe this is an abuse of Islam. All well-intentioned people who understand what I am talking about will understand that this is an abuse of faith. I believe that Muslims must do more to protect their faith from abuse. We must be vocal. We must be more decisive in confronting such phenomena within ourselves. We can only fight against them with the light of our own faith. We must strengthen our own Muslim spirit so much that we oppose these people who abuse faith, abuse 'Allahu Akbar', in this specific case. Whether there is any other background behind it is another question, "states Husein ef. Kavazović.

CLOSED COMMUNITIES CANNOT FUNCTION IN AN OPEN SOCIETY

Regarding the Islamic Community's call for "paradžemats" to be placed under the control of the Islamic Community, Reis Kavazović says that a number of them have agreed to integrate and returned to the structures of the Islamic Community, while about 20 smaller groups, which cannot be considered jamaats, remained outside the structures of this community.

"We said that we cannot take responsibility for something that is not within the structure of the Islamic Community. On the other hand, we believed that freedom of religion should be respected, but we said that no one can live in closed communities where the state cannot have access to what can happen there in terms of security. We believe that closed communities cannot function in an open society. In an open society, we must all be very transparent. What we do, what we advocate for, what we teach," says Reis Kavazović.

MIGRANTS ARE SEEN ONLY AS MUSLIMS

I deeply believe in the openness of Europe as a society, assesses Reis Kavazović. He emphasizes that he believes that Europe can treat Christians and Muslims equally and will not allow anyone exclusive rights to live on its soil, in the sense of a monopoly. Kavazović is disappointed that migrants are seen only as Muslims.

"It is a human obligation to help someone in a difficult position, regardless of who they are. Europe is in a position to help, its financial situation is better compared to the countries from which these people come. These are areas affected by tragedies, by long-lasting wars, both internal ones between the countries themselves and those caused by the intervention of Western powers. Let's remember Iraq, Libya, which were affected by such interventions. So, we must all be aware of helping, regardless of whether they are Muslims or not," assesses Reis Kavazović.

RECONSTRUCTION OF ALADŽA MOSQUE - HOPE FOR MUSLIMS IN BiH

The reconstruction of the Aladža mosque in Foča, which will be officially opened on May 4, 2019, represents a new hope for Muslims in BiH, says Reis Kavazović. He notes that it is a new beginning for the city of Foča to which it belongs and for all the people in Foča.

"The Islamic Community is happy that we have had the opportunity to restore it in the hope that a hand will never again be born among us that will touch places of worship, that we will respect them, value them, love them. We will love and consider the places of worship of our neighbors as our own and respect them, keeping in mind that they serve people, and that they should serve good," says Reis Kavazović.

In the interview "Jedan", the Rais al-Ulama of the Islamic Community in BiH, Husein efendija Kavazović, talks about the relationship between faith, politics and the state, Srebrenica, Islam's response to the challenges of the modern era, the pride parade, and religious freedoms.