Islamic Community Council of Muftis in BiH: Ensure peace and rule of law throughout the country

(Patria) - At a time when BiH is going through the most severe constitutional, political, and security crisis since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the Council of Muftis of the Islamic Community in BiH, drawing from the words of the Almighty in the Holy Quran, "and Allah calls to the Home of Peace," calls on all domestic and international actors to ensure peace and the rule of law throughout the country.

"It is the obligation of all to ensure peace and a sense of security for all citizens in every part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is devastating that irresponsible policies have led us to even discuss the possibility of disrupting peace. Such policies cannot have a future in this country.

The future belongs to those who will build this country to the measure of all its peoples and citizens, in the spirit of mutual trust and respect," the statement said after today's session of the Council of Muftis in Sarajevo.

The Council of Muftis assessed that the messages that peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot live together are shameful and an incitement to new conflicts, expulsions, and divisions.

"The truth is that people in Bosnia and Herzegovina have always lived with respect and appreciation for diversity. All misunderstandings arise solely from the desire to create ethnic states on a part of BiH's territory that would belong only to one of its peoples," the statement emphasizes.

For the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the possibility that parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina where genocide was committed and from which Bosniaks were expelled could be outside the constitutional, legal, and security frameworks of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is unacceptable.

State institutions are the guarantee of the survival of genocide survivors in their homes. It is clear to everyone in this country that any attempt to secede a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina's territory would inevitably lead to conflict.

"The Council of Muftis of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina condemns the adoption of the draft new Constitution of the Bosnian-Podrinje entity of RS, from which it is clear what future is planned for Bosniaks in that area, as well as for other citizens of non-Serb nationality, if state institutions were to collapse," the statement said.

The Council of Muftis paid tribute to all imams and members of the Islamic Community, as well as the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for their determination to preserve peace and not fall for provocations.

"We are all encouraged by the messages of citizens of all nationalities who have clearly raised their voices against divisions and the spread of hatred. The determination of a large number of citizens of this country not to participate in the adventures of irresponsible politicians gives hope that we have learned lessons from the past and that we will never repeat the mistakes of those times," the statement added.