SARAJEVO, Oct 18 (Hina) - The leadership of the Islamic community in Bosnia-Herzegovina and imams gathered in an association called "Udruzenje Ilmije" have condemned the US military operation in Afghanistan and criticised Bosnia's
authorities for supporting the spreading of an "anti-Muslim and anti-Bosniak campaign."
SARAJEVO, Oct 18 (Hina) - The leadership of the Islamic community in
Bosnia-Herzegovina and imams gathered in an association called
"Udruzenje Ilmije" have condemned the US military operation in
Afghanistan and criticised Bosnia's authorities for supporting the
spreading of an "anti-Muslim and anti-Bosniak campaign."#L#
The Islamic community's leadership, which held a two-day session
behind the closed doors in Sarajevo, on Wednesday forwarded a
statement saying senior Muslim dignitaries in Bosnia condemn
terrorism, but they also believe the American military strikes on
Afghanistan present an act of revenge which primarily affects the
innocent Muslim population of the Asian country.
The leadership expressed sadness over the anti-terrorist
activities the SFOR (NATO-led international peace keepers in
Bosnia) was taking against the High Saudi Assistance Committee.
Thus, the Islamic community practically accused the SFOR of illegal
actions.
A day after the announcement of this statement, the Muslim clergy's
association issued a statement reading that imams in Bosnia do not
approve of the attacks the United States and its allies are
launching against Afghanistan, "as innocent citizens are the
victims of the American bombs."
"We fear that the military operation of the United States and its
allies is directed against Islam and Muslims," read the imams'
statement.
They also expressed their concern at the fact that Bosnian
authorities "are directly contributing to an anti-Muslim, anti-
Bosniak and anti-Bosnian campaign."
Imams believe that Bosnia's Muslims are arrested and taken to
police stations only because of their religion.
Reis-ul-Ulema Mustafa Efendi Ceric, the head of the Bosnian Islamic
community, has tried to alleviate such strong-worded statements,
asking imams to restrain themselves from commenting publicly on
events in relation to the terrorist attacks on the United States.
Ceric has added that it is beyond dispute that Osama bin Laden had no
right to abuse Islam for his goals.
The Islamic community has also asked imams not to allow the use of
mosques for political purposes, particularly by some foreign
Islamic organisations.
(hina) ms