Examples of the community of people who, far from politics, live with each other and support each other, often show us a completely different and even more beautiful picture of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). And there are many such examples. On every inch of our country. In Mandino Selo, close to Tomislavgrad, Bosniaks first helped their neighbors in building a new chapel at the Catholic cemetery, and later all the residents of this area worked together to build a mosque.
The most recent example is from the Vesela Straza settlement in Bugojno, where Husein Smajic built, as he says, a church of peace, love and respect on his land.
“For the love of this country we live in, which is called BiH, and for people to understand that there is no beauty in living without a mixed population, tolerance between people,” mentionedHusein.
Husein told this decision to build a church on his land, with his own funds and with the help of donations will be a reminder that we cannot live in these areas in any other way than together. And it all started in 2014, when during work on his estate in Vesela, he found the foundations of a medieval Catholic church and decided to build a new one. Eight years later, in the immediate vicinity, a newly built church was blessed.
“In its own way, it is preservation, remembrance of our past and our trust in Our Lady’s intercession, because it will be Our Lady of the Angels, the covenant church,” said Vinko Cardinal Puljic, retired archbishop of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese.
And the fact that it is possible and should be done together was demonstrated by the Muslims and Catholics of Mandino Selo in the Tomislavgrad municipality by supporting the construction of a mosque, and earlier a chapel. The positive example of coexistence was also supported by representatives of local authorities and religious communities.
“When we heard that a chapel was being built, someone just needed to say it, we were all waiting for it to start, it started and that’s how it turned out,” pointed out Mevludin Dilaver, a resident of Mandino Selo.
“When the chapel was being built in Mandino Selo last year, I and the head imam praised everyone from the village who helped and said that many good things will come back to those people,” says Ibrahim Kapetanovic, president of MIZ Tomislavgrad.
“After everything that happened, when I learned from Ibrahim Kapetanovic that a new mosque was going to be built here in Mandino Selo, I felt the need to thank the people in some way for everything that they helped,” points out Ivica Sarac, a resident of Mandino Selo.
“I know from the members of the Construction Committee that they also participated. May God reward them all, and those who could not participate,” says Amer ef. Jugo, the main imam of the MIZ Tomislavgrad.
Contrary to the messages of their political representatives, citizens often, refusing to be part of a society divided into groups, show in their own way what the true values are.
“All our problems come from ethnopolitics that build themselves on made–up facts, such as that you cannot live together. People run away from them, they mutually engage in a demonstration of goodwill, which seems to be most easily manifested in the construction of such facilities,” says sociologist Esad Bajtal.
“Ordinary people love this country, regardless of nationality. And our rulers, I don’t know how much they love this country. Let’s all love it like I do, like us, and it will surely be fine,” concludes Husein Smajic.
And it would be even better if the voice of mutual respect like these examples was heard more. Thus, the image of our country would be different. More colorful and beautiful in the richness of its diversity, Federalna reports.
E.Dz.
