Reisul-ulema led the funeral in Kozarac: Evil is still alive, we will not falter in the fight

(Patria) - The Reisul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein-ef. Kavazović, today in Kozarac, where he led the funeral prayer for four victims from Prijedor and the Sana Valley, stated that it is necessary to persevere in searching for all the missing and bringing those responsible for the crimes to justice.

“There are still many whose bones we have not found, both here and in other places in our homeland. The evil that killed them and that is silent about their locations is still alive and resists justice. Unfortunately, some official government structures are hiding and protecting it; and supporting it. Here, and outside our country. But, we will not falter in our search for them, and we will not falter in prosecuting the criminals. That is an obligation we will fulfill, God willing,” said Reisul-ulema Kavazović.

We present his address in full:

Brothers and sisters!

Our pain has lasted a long time, we have been searching for our loved ones for a long time, whom thirty years ago villains took from their homes and neighborhoods and killed them simply because they were Muslims, and whose bodies they left God knows where, trying to cover up the traces of their crime. This has been going on for a long time, and the end is not yet in sight. Many mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters have carried their pain for their loved ones to the grave, without living to see them off as they wished. But, God is a just judge. He will give them compensation for the pain they suffered, and the villains a painful punishment for what they did. God, let justice prevail.

Today we bid farewell to these four funeral prayers. They will join their brothers and sisters in this cemetery today and remain with them until the Day of Judgment. Make their stay pleasant, O God, and bring them the remaining ones, whose remains we are still searching for.

Brothers and sisters!

A few days ago, we buried fourteen more of our brothers in Srebrenica. Most of them were young, in their prime, they should have given much good to life. Unfortunately, the criminals prevented them and violently took their lives. Just like those we are sending off here today.

Brothers and sisters!

We will not despair, nor lose hope. As believers, we believe in fate and accept divine decrees, hoping for God's reward for it. But we do not accept criminals and we do not agree with the evil they have committed. Therefore, we will seek our right in this world and in the next. We implore the honorable Bosnian Serbs today to inform us if they know anything about the locations where the remains of our innocently killed brothers and sisters are. We will not forget this.

Regardless, we are not giving up, we must move forward. In this journey, we must be careful and vigilant and use what will give us strength and make us resilient to challenges. A few things should not be questionable for any of us. These are: unity of purpose, moral action and mobilization of potential, involvement in processes that move towards achieving the goal, and trust in God. I ask you to continue to move forward and do our best.

Srebrenica and Prijedor are places of our suffering, but together with our neighbors, we can make them places of peace, hope, and encouragement for all of us. Places of truth for the victims and justice for the criminals and those who protect and glorify them. If we believe that only truth can save us, we will find our way to healing.

All of us in Bosnia and Herzegovina bear moral responsibility for the committed crime, especially in Srebrenica and Prijedor. We ask our neighbors to find the strength within themselves, together with us, and bravely and publicly stand on the side of truth and justice.

Brothers and sisters from Krajina!

Let us not lose hope or be discouraged, and let us not doubt the strength of our people. However, let your strength also be found in it. Almighty God says: Indeed, with hardship comes ease!

We will be convinced of this, God willing. We just need to work on it and be patient.

This year, funeral prayers were held for Musić Badema, Musić Nazif, Alija Enver, and Forić Alija. They were killed in the area of Korićanske stijene, Čarakovo, and Kozarac. Musić Badema is the oldest victim, she was 50 years old when she disappeared in Čarakovo in 1992. The youngest victim is Forić Alija. He was only 23 years old when he was killed in June 1992 in the Kozarac area.

The funeral prayer was preceded by a religious program, as well as a commemoration. High religious officials and officials from all levels of government attended. Serbian military and police forces killed 3,176 civilians in Prijedor, and around 500 people are still being searched for.