The central program was held at Mostar’s Šehitluci, where the imams of the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Mostar recited the Hatma-dova to the martyrs of the defense-liberation war, and numerous delegations from public and social life paid due respect to the fallen defenders of Mostar and independent Bosnia and Herzegovina by reciting the Fatiha and laying flowers.
Martyr’s Day, as Mostar mufti Salem-ef pointed out in his address to the faithful. Dedović is not only a symbol of the past, but also a permanent reminder of the price of freedom – a price that was paid in blood, in the fight for bare survival, the right to religion, a dignified life, the security of family and property.
– Regardless of the fact that we are witnessing both forgetfulness and negligence, the work of those who woven themselves into the foundations of this country is visible; it is witnessed by our people who persevere in the fight for their rights, freedom and dignity in all parts of Mostar and Herzegovina, where they returned to rebuild everything from the ground up. It is witnessed by virtuous families and married couples who raise new generations of children and young people, hard-working pupils and students who achieve results and successes and make us proud – said the mufti.
Pointing to the role of elected officials, Mufti Dedović pointed out that they are entrusted with the mandate of representing the people and that they must show full responsibility and perseverance in the fight for a better position of Bosniaks in Mostar and Herzegovina.
He warned that the position of Bosniaks should not be allowed to deteriorate further, and clearly said that enough is enough of trading their rights, as well as concessions to the detriment of the people.
– Enough of trading our rights and freedoms, and enough of concessions, and enough of satisfying interests at the expense of Bosniaks in this region! Bosniaks here are looking for equality, because they don’t want to give up this space and they will never agree with a policy in which there are exclusively national spaces, where some dominate and all the others can vegetate! The Bosniaks of Herzegovina suffered a lot. Unfortunately, their cry is not heard, and their message that if the country is to be saved, Herzegovina must be saved, does not resonate in the minds of those who represent the interests of Bosniaks in the center and at the top. The country is further from Mary’s Court; it is also in Trebinje, Nevesinje, Gacko and Bileća, it is also in Neum on the coast, in Stolac and Čapljina, Ljubuško, Prozor and Glamoč, Duvno and Livno – he pointed out.
Speaking about the importance and need for unity, the mufti said that, regardless of differences in opinion or origin, Bosniaks in Mostar and Herzegovina must remain united around common goals, and that Mostar, as a political, religious and cultural center, must remain a space of equality in which everything that belongs to Bosniaks belongs to others.
During the address, the mufti once again made an appeal that the location of the Kantarevac harem in Liska Street and the shehitlu there should be dignified and preserved from further devastation and attempts at usurpation by the city government, which, as he pointed out, is doing everything to implement the plan according to which there would be no cemeteries or Muslim niches in that place.
At the end of the speech, he commented on the decision of the city authorities of Mostar to organize a half-marathon through the streets of the city on the second day of Bajram, when Martyrs’ Day is celebrated, which led to the postponement of the visit to the martyrs, judging such a move unacceptable and calling on the authorities to take responsibility and appreciate the importance of this date for believers.
– To underline, what happened on the second day, on Martyrs’ Day, is that this term was stolen from us and went under the radar of those who did not do their homework. Those who do not see, do not observe and are not vigilant in the city administration – said Mufti Dedović.
He emphasized that the Islamic community will not remain silent on what he said are injustices and attempts to further undermine dignity.
– We will never stop pointing out the injustice and the voice of the mufti and the Islamic community will be heard until the more invited voice of those who need to come before the people and explain the processes taking place to the people is heard. We do not agree to injustices, we do not agree to further collapses – said Dedović.
After the visit to the central Mostar martyrs, there was a visit to the Kantarevac harem, where the first martyrs in the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina were buried, and delegations of the Islamic community headed by Mufti Dedović and the chief imam of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Mostar visited the graves of the late Fadil-ef martyr imam. Kasapović and the late Salem-ef. Mezita.
(Vijesti.ba / Preporod.info)
