The 18th two-day symposium was organised by the Islamic Community Zagreb and is being held under the auspices of Croatian President Ivo Josipovic. It brought together believers and experts from about 20 countries.
Muslims in Croatia can be happy because Croatia is a law-based democracy which respects the rights of national and religious minorities, said Gzim Redzepi, an official of the Islamic Community Zagreb, adding that Muslims had readily fought and died in the Croatian war of independence and that a monument to them would soon be erected near the mosque.
While in other parts of Europe mosque construction is often hindered, the Zagreb mosque has long been a home to the residents of Zagreb, a home of faith, culture and friendship, Redzepi said, thanking Mufti Sevko Omerbasic and saying that without his efforts there would be no madrasah or high school and that spreading knowledge was very important to Muslims.
Participants were greeted by Josipovic's envoy Vladimir Loncaric, who said the symposium was important in times of change and globalisation.
Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic also thanked Omerbasic, saying many European citizens could learn from Zagreb about ecumenical dialogue.
The mufti for Slovenia, Nedzad Grabus, spoke of the 1969 project for the construction of a mosque in Ljubljana, whose price has now reached nearly EUR 25 million. He thanked the Islamic community in Zagreb for supporting the project and voicing confidence that it would be realised.