Reisul-ulema at the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Bihać Mufti's Office: A phase of spiritual and moral renewal and cultural development follows

(Patria) - Reisul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina Husein-ef. Kavazović stated tonight in Bihać that by reactivating and establishing institutions within the jurisdiction of the Islamic Community, Bosniaks have shown that they believe in their own strength, their own future, and the future of their country.

Addressing the ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Bihać Mufti's Office, held in the hall of a building that has undergone complete reconstruction in the past three years, the Reisul-ulema recalled the war year of 1993, assessing it as one of the most difficult in the entire history of Bosniaks.

“That was the year when the pressure from the aggressor on us was greatest, and the attacks were fiercest, and when it seemed to some that there was no hope left, when some people panicked and said: ‘It’s over! We cannot resist this force.’ But, look at our collective response: in addition to providing the necessary armed resistance to the aggressors, mobilizing available potential, and showing exceptional courage in the fight, it was precisely in that year that we began to revive the work of some of our previously abolished institutions and establish new institutions and organizations. I am referring here to religious and cultural institutions, which are under the jurisdiction of the Islamic Community. This year, we have marked a whole series of anniversaries of these institutions, which, I assume, has not escaped your notice. In that year, we also established this Bihać Mufti's Office, whose 30th anniversary we are now celebrating,” said the Reisul-ulema.

He believes that by reactivating and establishing the aforementioned institutions, Bosniaks have shown that they believe in their own strength and in the future of their country, and have shown that they know the path that leads to progress and the achievement of spiritual and material goods, which leads to happiness and gives life sweetness and deeper meaning.

“That, brothers and sisters, is the path towards ultimate goals, the path of enlightenment, morality, and high cultural values, and the path of order and institutional action. Because individuals come and go, but institutions remain and continue to fulfill their role. Therefore, we did not lose heart in those difficult times and surrender, we did not fall into despair, but we fought, and our collective energy was focused and dedicated to one goal,” stated Reisul-ulema Kavazović.

On this occasion, he also recalled an example from the Battle of the Trench, when the Prophet, peace be upon him, in a situation where Muslims were facing an existential threat and the possibility of the complete destruction of the community, inspired people with enthusiasm and faith in their own strength, and announced great victories, which indeed followed.

“We went through a similar experience here in Bosnia. In dramatic moments, we made decisions – correct decisions with far-reaching effects – about material and spiritual development. And development indeed followed. We rebuilt destroyed mosques and built new ones, restored infrastructure, provided favorable conditions for operation, and created prerequisites for great results. We opened about fifteen kindergartens, a number of schools and faculties, institutes, centers, and libraries, established museums, developed quality curricula, launched radio and television, and networked into a unified system. We did, therefore, what we had to do. This order is already yielding results. However, we expect the real results in the coming period,” said the Reisul-ulema.

He announced that a second phase is now following, a phase of spiritual and moral renewal and cultural development.

“It will require much more energy and skill, more tact and patience, especially considering the presence of a large number of different negative influences to which we are exposed. The fact that our people, it seems to us no less than others, are also among drug dealers, in prostitution, gambling, corruption, usury, crime, and murderers, we also perceive as our failure. Have we tried as hard as we could to reach these people and educate them? Have we told them that a follower of the great Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, should not be found in such company, should not engage in such activities, that he does not belong there? Have we invited them to return to the Right Path?” asked the Reisul-ulema.

On this occasion, he also expressed concern about the current state of civilization, which, as he assessed, is declining at a breakneck speed.

“The brutal and unrestrained force in Gaza, which is allowed to violate all rules of international law: to destroy hospitals, schools, and places of worship, to deny people energy, electricity, and water, food and medical supplies, and to massacre children, women, and the elderly, to drop bombs on refugee convoys – all this publicly, very arrogantly, and on camera – sends an ominous message. I think humanity is entering a dark period, that difficult times are coming, which demand serious work and extremely responsible execution of tasks from us. We cannot remain indifferent to this, brothers and sisters. We must take care of ourselves and our people,” said the Reisul-ulema.

He stated that the Islamic Community, thank God, has good, quality staff, and more attention will be paid to them in the coming period.

"We will pay special attention, God willing, to imams as the main bearers of our activities. We will try to relieve them of obligations that someone else can perform, so that they can devote more time and be more effective in educating and reviving the moral dimension in people, and building believers who will live and work in accordance with authentic moral principles, stemming from the very root of Existence. If we succeed in this – and we hope we will, at least in large part – our success will be complete; otherwise, we will remain at the level of means and increasingly face the consequences of man's growing distance from God, and thus from His mercy and support,” said the Reisul-ulema.

Finally, he congratulated all those present, including representatives of the socio-political life from the region of Bosanska Krajina, on the 30th anniversary of the Bihać Mufti's Office.

“I pray to God to grant it longevity and to bless the efforts and endeavors of its employees,” said Reisul-ulema Kavazović.