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SARAJEVO, April 29 (FENA) - Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šefik Džaferović thanked today for messages of encouragement and hope previously sent by European Commissioner for Equality on behalf of the European Commission, Helena Dalli in the "Message of Solidarity" on the occasion of the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
"I was deeply moved by the message of solidarity you sent and I want to thank you because these messages are extremely important for the historical moment in which Europe is right now," said Džaferović.
At a time when Islamophobic propaganda is intensifying, based on anti-immigrant populism faced by everyone across Europe, Commissioner Dalli's message came as a moral inspiration for all people who believe in, and fight for the European idea.
"The commissioner's assessment was particularly encouraging, that active engagement in the fight against Islamophobia and all kinds of discrimination, exclusion and violence against Muslims, as well as all others who are victims of Islamophobic stereotypes, is crucial for the future of the European Union," he added.
Džaferović finds it extremely valuable that the Commissioner underlined that European society has been shaped by a blend of different cultures and influences, including the Islamic culture.
He notes that these are extremely important messages for Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also for all BiH citizens, who for centuries have been building multicultural society interweaved with different influences.
He recalled that such a Bosnian society was threatened by being obliterated in the period from 1992 to 1995 by those forces that tried to realize their ideals of ethnic purity by committing mass war crimes.
"As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide this year, as the biggest crime in Europe since World War II, it is important to send a message and reminder to all of Europe, what happens when ideas based on ethnic hatred and Islamophobia prevail and united European institutions do not respond on time," Džaferović reminded.
He stressed that while BiH still suffers the consequences of the crimes committed against it, still, it has managed to survive and that is the greatest comfort for the victims, and it has survived only because there were enough people willing to fight for the idea that people of different religious and ethnic identities and backgrounds (Muslims, Christians, Orthodox Christians, Jews, atheists, and all others) can live together.
"The European Union does not have to worry about its future if we, who believe in the European idea, do our best to fight for its preservation in the way you described in your message, promoting solidarity, inclusion and equality," Džaferović added.
Džaferović affirms that the European idea, as an idea of a society of equal people, in which no one will be privileged or discriminated against because of their identity, is the principle by which Europe has become what it is today and that is why many around the world aspire to achieve it, and that is why this idea must be preserved at all cost," Džaferović underlined.
European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli wrote in her "Message of Solidarity" on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, among other things, that today, more than ever, we should remind ourselves of the key values of this month of Ramadan: solidarity and hospitality.
"These unprecedented times offer us an opportunity to further commit to these values by being actively engaged against all forms of discrimination, exclusion and violence against Muslims and those perceived as such. This is crucial for the future of the EU," wrote Dalli in her address.
She emphasized that "we all benefit from diverse European communities, shaped by a mix of cultures and religious and non-religious influences, including Islamic culture."
"We cannot allow Islamophobic rhetoric to continue to spread across Europe and be used to exclude Muslims, and those perceived as such, from any part of our society," underlined Dalli.
She said that "our Muslim communities play a key role in the essential labor force, be it healthcare, food, distribution, security and many others. During the month of Ramadan, these communities will always strive to embody these values and be at the frontline engaging with the most deprived in this pandemic."
Dalli expressed hope that this month will be an inspiration for everyone to contribute to building a better society, one that fights for solidarity, inclusion and equality in all of it senses.
(FENA) S. R.
