Mufti Dedović Urges Bošnjak Resilience and Perseverance in Herzegovina

Mostarski Mufti Dr. Salem ef. Dedović recently led Friday prayers and delivered a sermon at the restored Tucakovića Mosque in Rabrani, near Neum. He shared messages about patience, perseverance, and responsibility to preserve the religious and national identity of Bošnjaks in Herzegovina. This event followed a four-year struggle to expand the mosque and build its minaret.

Mufti Dedović spoke to the few residents and worshippers, many of whom visit Neum for summer holidays. He referenced a Quranic verse on patience, emphasizing that faith and community cannot be built quickly or without continuous effort and willingness to sacrifice. He reminded the congregation of the 2022 events when local inspectors tried to stop the mosque's expansion. Worshippers then prayed despite construction bans, showing determination to defend their rights and freedoms.

The Mufti stressed that Rabrani and its mosque represent more than just a village and a building. The small minaret signifies the visible presence of the Bošnjak people, countering attempts to suggest they do not belong there. He affirmed that the fight for rights must be based on historical facts, not myths. He cited research by Dr. Emir Demir on the historical presence of Muslims in the Neum area. He called for justice, equality, and visibility, demanding that no one's rights or freedoms be denied.

A central theme of his sermon was "rabitu," meaning to vigilantly guard the boundaries of faith, identity, and territory. He declared that Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Bošnjak living space as a whole, making even the smallest points in Eastern Herzegovina—like Trebinje, Bileća, Ljubinje, Gacko, Nevesinje, and Rabrani—vital. He asserted that no one has the right to abandon these areas. The Islamic Community has long carried the heavy task of preserving Islam and Bošnjak identity in Eastern Herzegovina, despite limited resources, driven by historical responsibility.

Mufti Dedović cautioned against the modern desire for instant results, stressing that valuable achievements require patience. He encouraged believers not to give up when facing obstacles, reminding them that God values consistent effort, even in small deeds. He also highlighted the danger of negligence, warning that failing to uphold responsibilities means betraying one's entrusted purpose in life. He reminded those in public office, whether religious, social, or political, that their positions are responsibilities, not privileges. True leadership focuses on the legacy left behind, as people and positions are temporary.

He concluded by stating that Rabrani's example demonstrates how to counter discrimination and limitations on Bošnjak rights in Herzegovina. He urged an end to retreating, emphasizing that Bošnjaks in Herzegovina face significant pressure and must respond with determination and perseverance.