Last night, the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro organized a ceremonial academy in Podgorica to mark June 20th - the Day of the National Muslims of Montenegro, reports the Bar info portal.
The organizers announced that six years ago, the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro decided to declare June 20th as the Day of the National Muslims of Montenegro in memory of June 20th, 1912, when, by the Decree on Appointment, Prince Nikola appointed Murteza Karađuzović as the Mufti of Montenegrin Muslims, thus giving Montenegrin Muslims a spiritual leader from among the indigenous population for the first time in their history.
The President of the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro, Sabrija Vulić, pointed out, as he put it, "the assimilation and discrimination that continue to affect Muslims in Montenegro."
"Is anyone concerned that there has not been a single national Muslim in the state parliament in the last few convocations? Is anyone concerned that the number of ethnic Muslims in local parliaments in Montenegro is reduced to the number of fingers on one hand. Will anyone do anything about the discrimination against ethnic Muslims in Montenegro, who have been and are still being subjected to tremendous pressure to change their nationality? This pressure, which is most painful for us, is especially felt by members of the Montenegrin nation and, of course, the newly formed Bosniaks on the soil of Montenegro. Will any organization dealing with minority and human rights ask why there is not a single ethnic Muslim in any strong position in the state or Podgorica? Will anyone besides us speak out that the Commission for the allocation of funds under the Competition for projects of the Fund for the Protection and Realization of Minority Rights has seven, or even six members from one national minority? Unfortunately, this year's solemn moment for over 10.000 ethnic Muslims in Montenegro must be reduced to issues that those who should have ignored for years," he said. is Vulić.
The Secretary General of the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro, Dr. Kadrija Kurpejović, emphasized that the act of appointing Murteza Karađuzović as the mufti of Montenegrin Muslims was more than an administrative move.
"This was a reflection of the recognition that national Muslims are an inseparable part of Montenegrin society. Since then, until today, Muslims have felt that Montenegro is their only home, speaking its language, preserving their faith and culture, but also building bridges of trust with all who share the value of dialogue, justice and togetherness. Looking back, this minority community in Montenegro does not seek privileges, but the truth - that we built Montenegro, that we are building it and that we will do so with the same faith and devotion in the future. Our faith teaches us humility before God, and our history calls us to responsibility before people. We preserve both of these values with equal dignity and pride. We believe that identity is not a reason for division, but the strength of our unity. Just as Prince Nikola once recognized the dignity of Muslim beings in Montenegro, may today's state recognize the strength of each of our voices spoken in the language of mutual respect and common good," Kurpejović said.
He called on the competent state administration bodies to make additional efforts to reform school curricula and strengthen the role of the Public Service Broadcasting, which will contribute to the promotion of the heritage of ethnic Muslims.
"Our identity must not be a footnote in history, but a fundamental thread of the social fabric. While we proudly celebrate our past and the struggle to preserve the identity of this community, we look with greater faith to the future, to the generations to come, to the children who will speak the Montenegrin language and feel Montenegro as their only homeland, which must recognize their value and respect them through institutions to which we have all given equal contribution in their development, progress and democratic maturation," said Kurpejović.
Bar Info reports that the annual awards of the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro were presented at the ceremony.
The most significant annual award - the award for preserving the national identity of the Muslims of Montenegro - was awarded to Dr. Milan Šćekić, who has done numerous research papers and published several books whose topics are closely related to the national Muslims of Montenegro and their history, as well as a series of research articles in the magazine "Glas Mrkojevića".
In his speech, Šćekić said that the award surprised him.
"It is true that for several years I have been editing a column in the magazine 'Glas Mrkojevića' where I publish documents that have not been published before. It is archival material that treats Muslims from Montenegro, in this case primarily from the south of our country. This award is particularly important for me, especially because I have also written specifically about Montenegrins and Albanians, but I am particularly pleased that the Council of Muslims has recognized my work, which respects and values it. It is also an obligation for me to continue with research and to continue working on promoting the position of the Muslim national community in Montenegro, its cultural heritage and national identity in the future," said Šćekić.
After the realization of the Ceremonial Academy, as part of the event "Days of Muslims of Montenegro", on Monday, June 23, a children's art workshop will begin in Bar, followed by the promotion of the "Zupci Times" Collection, which was made in cooperation with the Croatian National Council, as well as the promotion of the film "Rožajska svadba" which is part of the documentary film "Traditional Muslim Wedding in Montenegro". Along with this documentary film, the Monograph of Traditional Wedding Celebrations of Muslims of Montenegro will also be promoted.
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