The glorification of war criminal Pavle Đurišić directly insults the victims and their descendants, the Executive Board of the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro announced.
"Regarding the statement by the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, Joanikije, in which the war criminal Pavle Đurišić is glorified, the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro expresses deep concern and strongly condemns such a message coming from a religious leader of the highest rank. Pavle Đurišić is responsible for serious crimes and massacres committed against Muslims, especially in Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje and other parts of Sandžak during World War II. The glorification of his image, especially by a church dignitary, represents not only a moral lapse but also a direct insult to the victims and their descendants. Such statements undermine the foundations of multiethnic harmony and trust that we have been building with difficulty for decades," the statement reads.
They said that Montenegro is a civil society of all its peoples and that any attempt at historical revisionism that glorifies criminals and denies the suffering of others is a direct attack on that unity.
"The Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro calls on all competent institutions, religious communities and citizens to resist speech that sows division and harm, and to firmly commit to truth, justice and mutual respect. The role of religious leaders should be to reconcile, not to stir up old wounds and divisions," they said.
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