Reis ul-Ulema Efendi Mustafa Ceric commented for Saturday's issue of the Dnevni Avaz daily on his participation in last Monday's celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of the recognition of Islam in Croatia.
Ceric said that the process of the recognition of Islam and Muslims' duties and responsibilities in Croatia had not been easy, but the trouble was worth both for Croatia and its Muslims.
"With the construction of the mosque in Zagreb in 1987, Muslims got a niche where they can meditate and they raised a symbol of their freedom in Zagreb. Croatia has shown to the world that it is a serious country committed to human rights and as a reward, it has acquired friends from all over the Muslim world, which few European countries managed," Ceric said.
He expressed hope that Slovenia would follow Croatia's example.
The authorities in the Slovene capital of Ljubljana have for years refused to issue licences for the construction of the first mosque in the city. The recently elected mayor, Zoran Jankovic, has pledged to change the situation.