SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 30 (ONASA) – The Association of Scholars of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which brings together imams, muallims, employees of the Islamic Community, as well as religious teachers, muderris and professors of Islamic faculties, organized a formal academy today in the Gazi Husrev Bey library in Sarajevo on the occasion of the 112th anniversary of existence and activity.
The reisul-ulema of the Islamic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina Husein-ef spoke at the academy. Kavazović and the President of the Association of Scholars, Military Mufti Nesib-ef. Hadzic.
“The motto marking these anniversaries is: I have the Community in focus and it is a kind of preparation for the work ahead of us. Our imams are constantly with the people and share their care, concern and apprehension, and are the most credible advocates of their needs, which is very important for the stability of the congregation and the reputation of the Community. Therefore, we will respect their voice, considering it the most credible and act according to it as much as possible”, he said in his address to the present reisul-ulema.
He emphasized that the time in which we live is fraught with various social problems.
“Every day we see the struggle of different groups and individuals, who represent different social interests from social, national, economic, cultural, gender and others. We should remain dedicated to our religious, Islamic values: brotherhood, equality, harmony, social justice, neighborhood; firmly represent them and fight for them. We must remain clear and loud in distinguishing truth from lies, justice from injustice, good from evil. We cannot agree to erase moral-ethical boundaries, because for us good and evil are not the same”, said, among other things, reisul-ulema Husein-ef. Kavazovic.
President of the Association Nesib-ef. Hadžić said that the Association has its own mission in time and space.
“We want to point out imams, their roles, and talk about them – leaders in the community. A community without an imam is a community without a foundation at some basic level. There can be, and there are, congregations, mosques and Muslims, but if there is no imam, there is no organized religious community. “Where there is an imam, the community will move forward, regardless of the circumstances, because there is someone who leads that community,” he said.
The imam’s contribution to society is both more comprehensive and more complex, he added.
“As bearers of mission work in the congregation, imams affirm ethics and universal ethical principles, take care of vulnerable congregations, organize activities for young people, and initiate activities that improve the quality of life in the community and society. Like the generations before us who set certain standards, we really want to leave our mark. Therefore, this jubilee has immeasurable significance not only for the members of the association, but also for the entire Community, because the idea, mission and goal unite us”, said Hadžić.
On this occasion, the plaque of the Association of Scholars “Friend of Ulema” was awarded to the Una-Sana Canton Government, which was received by Prime Minister’s advisor Esad Bašagić.
Within the framework of the solemn academy, reisul-ulema and the president of the Association presented awards and gifts to imams and muallims who retired during the past year: Habiba Hadžimejlić, Meliha Čišija, Zemka Nezo, Mulaima Omić, Ajiša Zambaković, Hafiz Husein-ef. Čajlaković, M.Sc. Sulejman-ef. Čeliković, Hafiz Nurija-ef. Čikarić, Ibrahim-ef. Ćatić, Ajdin-ef. Džafić, Bego-ef. Hrnčić, Sead-ef. Husić, Hikmet-ef. Kaltak, Jasmin-ef. Memic, Hamdija-ef. Nesimović. former mufti military Hadis-ef. Pašalić, former president of the Association of Scholars and employee of Rijaset Islamic Community Mensur-ef. Pasalić, M.Sc. Sulejman-ef. Posavljak, prof. Ibrahim-ef. Redžić, Mirsad-ef. Sedić, Sejfo-ef. Seferović, Rahman-ef. Skejić, M.Sc. Ibrahim-ef. Softić, Raif-ef. Tašaković, Mirsad-ef. Velić and Alija-ef. Zaketović.
Also, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Association and the 32nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Mustafa-ef. Mujkanović, the first imam killed during the aggression against the homeland, mufti of Tuzla Dr. Vahid-ef. Fazlović opened the exhibition entitled “Personality and work of Mustafa-ef. Mujkanović”. The authors of this exhibition are Meho Manjgo and Emir Šečić.
“This exhibition represents an extremely valuable contribution to the efforts to responsibly and dignify the memory of our martyrs, and to permanently learn from the difficult trials that Bosniaks went through and from the courageous struggle of our predecessors. Its significance is further contributed by the fact that it was organized on the occasion of the celebration of the anniversary of the Association of Scholars”, said Mufti Fazlović.
Mustafa-ef. Mujkanović was the imam of the City Mosque in Bratunac and the chief imam of the Majlis of the Bratunac Islamic Community, the first martyr among the imams, who was brutally murdered on May 13, 1992 after several days of torture. His character and work are presented on the exhibition panels.
Before the formal academy, at the Memorial to the Martyred Imams in front of the Gazi Husrev Bey madrasa, a hatma-dova was recited for the souls of the martyred imams. (end)