Reisul-ulema Kavazović: Currently, the focus is on people we need to help

(Patria) - The Reisul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina stated that the Islamic Community will do everything it can to help the population affected by the floods.

Accompanied by the mufti of Mostar, Salem-ef. Dedović, the head of the Reisul-ulema's Office, Rifat Fetić, and the head of the Rijaset's Office for Social Welfare, Ibrahim-ef. Malanović, the Reisul-ulema is visiting the affected areas of Jablanica and Konjic today.

"Unfortunately, a large number of lives have been lost. We pray to God Almighty to give strength to the families to overcome this and to stay together. It is up to our community, state, and society to help these people, and I have no doubt that help will come," said Reisul-ulema Kavazović.

Pointing out the fact that the material damages are extensive and will not be possible to repair in a short period, the Reisul-ulema stated that it is now most important to repair the communications, for the residents to get electricity, water, and telephone service, for houses that are less damaged to be repaired immediately, and for people whose houses are permanently damaged or have disappeared to be accommodated.

"Winter is coming, it is important to start finding locations for building these houses immediately. It is important for families to stay here, to prevent the emigration of the population; we should all keep in mind that the most important thing is to retain the population, not to move them from these areas. This is their natural environment, and I believe we should all do our part to ensure it remains so," he stated.

The state must take a planned approach to damage repair, believes the Reisul-ulema.

"Long-term assistance from the state, civil society, and the Islamic Community will be needed. We will monitor, with our chief imam, the Majlis, the mufti. We will strive to help. There was also damage to the infrastructure of the Islamic Community, but currently, the focus is on people," added the Reisul-ulema.

The mufti of Mostar, Dedović, stated that with today's visit, they wanted to express solidarity and compassion with those who need it most right now.

"It is difficult to say anything after facing the situation on the ground. We watched the footage, but everything looks different when you come to the field. We came to tell people that we are here, with them, to assess the situation with them, to try to understand the scale of the disaster, the tragedy, the ordeal they have gone through. At this moment, the most important thing is to be with people. We will do our part as much as we can, but the scale of the damage is enormous, it will require a lot of time, effort, energy, attention, and care," said the mufti.

Currently, four people are being searched for in the Konjic area, and a larger number in the Jablanica area.

"Everything must be done to find the truth, to get information; searches should be directed in that direction, they should be directed towards the living, towards those who are grieving, who have lost their loved ones; they must not be forgotten, they must not be left alone," stated mufti Dedović.