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SARAJEVO, September 28 (FENA) - Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović is a high patron of a solemn academy on the occasion of the Bosniak People Day, which was to be held tonight at the National Theater in Sarajevo, and which was postponed in accordance with the recommendations of the authorities due to the current epidemiological situation.
This year, the Bosniak Cultural Society "Preporod" celebrates the Bosniak People Day in an online format throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the homelands and the diaspora.
"Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosniaks form an indivisible whole. Challenging the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina has almost always been linked to challenging the Bosniak people, their culture and the Bosnian language. Bosnia and Herzegovina, as we know it today, would hardly survive without the determination of the Bosniak people to preserve its integrity.
Almost the entire 20th century has been intertwined with efforts to portray Bosniaks as a people without an identity. Continuous repression, non-recognition of the right to national identity, disparagement and detention of Bosniak religious, academic and political leaders, represent a kind of kaleidoscope of denial of Bosniaks and their identity.
For most of the last century, Bosniaks did not have the conditions to strengthen their political, cultural, linguistic and social agenda.
The shortest way to stop the strengthening of a nation's identity is to stifle its fundamental institutions and deny them the right to a mother tongue.
The Bosnian language has always been linked to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its widespread acceptance has always been an important obstacle to territorial ambitions of others at the expense of BiH, its cultural and territorial integrity.
We still recognize the relics of such a policy in the attacks and disputing Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian language.
With the restoration of the independence of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was defended in the defense-liberation war from 1992 to 1995, the Bosniak people, led by the late President Alija Izetbegović, resolutely set out to affirm their identity.
Raising their voice against the Ustasha ideology, racial laws, camps and persecution of their neighbors, Bosniaks remained consistent with their basic principles: preserve the image of Bosnia as a community of diversity, not ever wanting this country only for themselves and never excluding or keeping that right from others.
This was the essence of all conflicts, from the medieval Bosnian state to the last aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosniaks emerged victorious from each of them because their liberation struggle never turned into crime and violence.
These facts should be repeated, persistently and devotedly. They should be repeated until the last of us learns that we need to live our reality, but never forget past experiences.
The ideologies that led to the bloodshed in the former Yugoslavia at the end of the last century have not been completely defeated.
The battle between those who seek to preserve and promote the pluralistic character and tolerant spirit of their countries and societies in the Western Balkans region and those who provoke, incite and deepen cultural, ethnic and religious divisions and conflicts is not over.
Recent events in Montenegro bring back memories of past events. Their target is once again the Bosniak people who are facing the most terrible threats. We call on the authorities in Montenegro and elsewhere to protect Bosniaks, their religious buildings and property. Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to protect the rights of the Bosniak people through bilateral relations with the countries of the region and elsewhere.
The Bosniak assembly is one of the most important events in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosniaks.
Hence, the date of its holding rightly took the name of the Day of the Bosniak people, and as such it should be celebrated both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the homeland countries and elsewhere in the world where Bosniaks live.
Preserving Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent and internationally recognized state, preserving its multiethnic character, ensuring the equality of Bosniaks wherever they live is a vital interest of the Bosniak people. The fight for these goals will continue in the future, stated the Bosniak Cultural Society "Preporod".
(FENA) S. R.
