  |
Reisu-l-ulema Dr. Mustafa Ceric, accompanied by Mufti of Sarajevo, Husein ef. Smajic, and Secretary General of the Rijaset, Muhamed ef. Salkic, visited the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Kaljina in the region of Sokolac where he was greeted by the returnees and Imam Jasmin ef. Bajric, the only Imam in this Majlis. Reisu-l-ulema Dr. Ceric spoke with the faithful who returned to this area but, who, as they pointed out, were left out with respect to the assistance which would enable them a sustainable repatriation. Reisu-l-ulema has appealed to the State to have its Institutions assist the people to assert their institutional rights so as to make it possible for them to return to their properties.
Reisu-l-ulema has expressed his pleasure in that there is an active Islamic Community in Kaljina, that the Mosque and the residence of Imam have been rebuilt and that there is a working and active Imam. “That is a good sign that the return here will intensifyâ€, said Reisu-l-ulema Dr. Mustafa Ceric. He has then, together with Mufti of Sarajevo, Husein ef. Smajic and Secretary General of the Rijaset of the IC, Muhamed ef. Salkic, met with the Executive Council of the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Kaljina. Discussed were priorities in the short-term in order to intensify return of the congregation, as well as start that process in other congregations. To help in that process, an assistance was pledged in this meeting, from the Rijaset’s Fund for Repatriation.
Sermon of Reisu-l-ulema
On The Friday prayer in Kaljina there were more faithful than usual, as they came from other places because the sermon was given by Reisu-l-ulema Dr. Mustafa Ceric. MINA has broadcast the sermon in its entirety:
Say: Who will, except Allah, protect you from evil? If Allah gives you mercy nobody can take it away, and those who wish you evil will remain without protectors and assistants. Allah knows well those amongst you who encouraged others to desert you and who told their own friends: – Join Us! And when you were overcome by fear you saw them looking at you, rolling their eyes, scared to death. But if there is no fear they curse you with their sharp tongues, selfish to do any good. They deny the truth, and therefore Allah dz.s. rejects their deeds as it is easy for Allah to do! (Qur’an, 33:17-19).
  |
In these Qur’an proscriptions we have three clear messages. The first message is that no evil can hurt us if we are accompanied by Allah’s mercy which has to be earned through knowledge, faith and morality. Who can stand witness to this Qur’an truth more convincingly than us here, who so many times felt Allah’s mercy when we were being subjected to evil? Nobody can be such a strong witness to truth about Allah’s mercy as we can, we who were so many times subjected to challenges of being or not being a Muslim, or to stay or not to stay in our home and in our homeland.
The second message from the Qur’an proscriptions referred to here, reminds us about truth about people who are steadfast and reliable at all times and in all places, and about those others who are weak and unreliable under difficult challenges of defending their own and their brethren’s freedom. We know them very well. When push came to shove they sought protection by those who are of firm faith and courageous fighters. However, when they liberated themselves of fear from those who threatened to turn them into slaves, they turned against those who liberated them from that slavery. Unfortunately, they treat their liberators, as is said in Holy Qur’an: – Curse with their sharp tongues!
The third Qur’an message is that what the ungrateful do with their “sharp tonguesâ€, as well as being “selfish to do any goodâ€, all that is short lasting as their word and their work are not based upon truth and justice. Therefore we should not feel anxious by their chase, nor disturbed by their noises, but we have to work smartly and courageously for the common good for all people of goodwill.
Dear brothers and sisters, we came today to the congregation of Kaljina, in the region of the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Kaljina to share with you mubarek of the Friday prayer and to express our support to all of you who returned to Kaljina, especially Imam Jasmin ef. Bajric, who spoke on your behalf and reminded those in position of responsibility amongst our people, that you need assistance in your striving toward staying here in your home and your homestead.
You are the old Bosnian Muslims for whom they say that they are more acceptable; and they say that they feel sorry that you are no longer, as they dislike these new Muslims whom they call the Wahhabis. We, too, are sorry that thousands of the “proper†Bosnian Muslims of old did not survive the Srebrenica Genocide. Also, we are sorry that hundreds of “proper†Bosnian Muslims of old were subjected to go through Dretelj and other torture camps in Herzegovina and that in the twenty-first century the “proper†Bosnian Muslims of old live under the regime of apartheid. It is unacceptable and evil to spread fear from the “new†Bosnian Muslims because they survived Genocide and oppose a regime of apartheid.
The Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina is free one and capable to take on any challenges about interpreting Islam and does not need anybody’s patronizing. Bosnian Muslims, neither the “properâ€, who were killed because they were weak and vulnerable, nor the “new†who are prepared to defend their honour and freedom, have not been and will never be a threat to anybody’s right to life, faith, freedom, possessions and honour.
Those who accuse us that they have it bad because of Islam and the “new†Muslims, are joining in Islam-phobia
We reject the guilt, layered upon us for decades, for the predicament of any people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and call upon all to join together in rebuilding society and State to fit every person in every place in this joint homeland.
Those who accuse us that they have it bad because of Islam and the “new†Muslims, are joining in Islam-phobia, which reminds both “old†and “new†Bosnian Muslims about the experience of this recent Genocide. Instead, we call for dialogue which will bring us neighbourly trust and secure the necessary peace in our souls. We believe in Allah’s mercy, which protects us from all evil and we believe in togetherness in faith which encourages us to love God and to love one’s neighbour.
Almighty Allah, give us strength in our intent to be fearless before the onslaught of lies and injustice!
All-knowing Allah, teach us to love our brother always and in every place!
Merciful Allah, give us Your mercy which will protect us from every evil!
Amin!