Reisul-ulema in Milodraž: Bosnia's natural environment is in the true coexistence of believers of all revelations

(Patria) - The Reisul-ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein-ef. Kavazović, today from Milodraž near Kiseljak, called for the spiritual and moral renewal of society.

"We are all children of our mother Bosnia, and we all belong to her equally. She has much love for all of us in her bosom. So, let's bring that love to light and share it among ourselves. The hatred produced by evil policies will melt before that love like snow under a strong sun," said the Reisul-ulema.

The Reisul-ulema is attending the opening of the Sultan Mehmed Fatih Mosque in this place, where Sultan Fatih and fra Anđel Zvizdović met and where the Ahdnama was written, a document by which the Sultan guaranteed the Franciscans religious and all other freedoms.

The mosque has been built on the same foundations six times, and the first was built in 1463 and was, according to tradition, in the shape of a tent.

"It has exceptional religious, cultural, and symbolic value. Namely, it was built on a site with a significant name: Milodraž. It is also important because of the meeting between Sultan Fatih and fra Anđelo Zvizdović and the writing of the famous Ahdnama, which is kept in the Museum of the Franciscan Monastery in Fojnica. In addition, the summer residence of the Bosnian
kings was here, where two royal weddings were performed, as historical documents record," explained the Reisul-ulema.

Speaking about what this mosque symbolizes, the Reisul-ulema pointed out that the meeting between Sultan Mehmed Fatih and fra Anđelo Zvizdović was a meeting of two spiritual giants, Christian and Islamic, who at that time reached an agreement on common life, on peace and coexistence of the two monotheistic religions in Bosnia.

"We will not forget that Mehmed Fatih was a commander who brought the light of Islam to Bosnia. That light joined the already existing traces of the light of the New Testament, the revelation given to the prophet Isa, peace be upon him. Shortly thereafter, followers of the third heavenly religion also arrived: Jewish followers of Musa, peace be upon him, and the Old Testament given to him, and
brought with them traces of the light of that revelation. Thus, Bosnia became a world in miniature, illuminated by divine lights and honored by peace and love among people. And people, precisely because of that and inspired by those lights, lived here for a long time in peace and harmony, respecting and helping each other," said the Reisul-ulema.

He reminded that discord and intolerance towards followers of other worldviews began to be introduced into Bosnia only at the end of the 19th century.

"It was introduced from outside, it was not sown within it, nor did it originate from its being. The natural environment of Bosnia, its authenticity, lies in the true coexistence of believers of all revelations. That is our Bosnia, and that is what this mosque symbolizes – that historical meeting," said the Reisul-ulema.

Precisely because of that, he says, he did not hesitate whether it should be renovated, after the chief imam of the Kiseljak Medžlis informed him about its poor condition three years ago.

"I am happy that its renovation proceeded easily, without major obstacles, and that the mosque looks so beautiful today.

I hope it will fulfill its role and that people of high moral values, worthy followers of the Quran, protagonists of goodness and humanity; good people and good neighbors will be raised in it. That is the basic role of every
house of worship, especially a house of worship of this nature. I note that it was rebuilt exclusively with domestic funds, funds from domestic people, waqifs, institutions, and our jamaats in Bosnia; funds from people who love and respect the lights of all divine revelations, which is also a characteristic of this beautiful building. May Allah bless it and protect it from every evil hand," said the Reisul-ulema.

He said that our society needs spiritual and moral renewal.

"The circumstances are ripe for it. The awareness of the necessity of change has matured among our people, so I invite you to join it. A Muslim should have exemplary behavior, by which his Lord will be pleased. We should be an example to others in communication with the world around us, use its blessings and respond to
its challenges. Our task is to be worthy bearers of the vicegerency, which has been granted to us, in this country of ours. Almighty Allah asks us to race in good deeds, as much as we can, to sacrifice our time and our possessions on God's path from the heart and soul and to compete in it: festebiqu al-hayrat," said the Reisul-ulema.

He emphasized that a believer watches over his faith, conscious and awake, and that he re-examines his faith and monitors its growth and decline.

"Faith settles and flourishes in the heart, and bears fruit in good deeds. The evidence for this is this mosque, and this blessed place, and this Ahdnama that has preserved all of us in Bosnia. This place and the meeting in it in that distant year of 1463 saved many lives, protected people's honor, and preserved their morals. Is that not an incentive for all of us today to arrange our relationships in this way!" said the Reisul-ulema.

He told those present to be believers with pure hearts at every moment of life, to work on that path and help themselves with truth and patience, which the Prophet taught.

"Let us learn from his example to resist difficulties and hardships, with faith and hope, to rely on God at all times, whether easy or difficult.

Let us know that the achievement of our goals is connected with faith, work, and patience. If we work according to the instructions of Islam, we will achieve joy in our chests and open our hearts and souls. In this lies the sweetness of faith and every sacrifice," said the Reisul-ulema.

He also reminded that a sincere Muslim strives to achieve the goals he has set for himself, and when he achieves them, he entrusts his happiness to the Almighty and is modest in what he has been given, dedicated and self-sacrificing without exaggeration and self-praise.

"Brothers and sisters, revive in your hearts the love for what has come from God and the love for others, and stand by each other – that is how you will more easily respond to challenges. And be stronger in protecting yourselves and your country. We want the followers of the three divine revelations to meet again in Bosnia, after evil people forcibly separated them, that this meeting be renewed – just as this mosque, which is a symbol of such a meeting, has been renewed. We are all children of our mother Bosnia, and we all belong to her equally.

She has much love for all of us in her bosom. So, let's bring that love to light and share it among ourselves. The hatred produced by evil policies will melt before that love like snow under a strong sun," said the Reisul-ulema.

We are not called to curse, he added, and if we were to curse, "we would curse those who promote policies of hatred and fan their flames".

"We leave them to the Lord of the worlds and ask Him to settle accounts with them. May Almighty Allah bless this mosque, may it be a place of spirituality and moral revival and a gathering place for good people! And may it last long. Thanks to everyone who contributed with their work and property to its renovation, and I ask Allah, the Exalted, to accept their efforts. Amen!" said Reisul-ulema Kavazović.