A panel discussion on identity was held as part of the Bosniak Culture Days event.

Enriching one's own identity in line with the times implies that an individual integrates new experiences, knowledge and values ​​of the modern era, while retaining what has already marked them, the message from the panel held as part of the Bosniak Culture Days event in Montenegro was conveyed.

The panel discussion on the topic "National Identity and Youth - in Domicile and Global Culture", attended by high school students, professors and employees from cultural, social and educational institutions, was held at the "Mehmed Fatih" Madrasa.

As announced by the Bosniak Council in Montenegro, the Secretary General of the Islamic Community in Montenegro, Fuad Čekić, and clinical psychologist, business consultant and expert in communication psychology, Radoje Cerović, spoke about identity issues, the role of youth and the importance of preserving national consciousness.

"Through dialogue and answers to questions, Čekić and Cerović reminded of the right and need of every individual to cherish the traditional characteristics of identity, but also of the beauty of openness to adopting new values," the statement said.

Cerović told young people to preserve and enrich their own identity in line with the times.

"It is up to your generation to preserve its own identity, to be proud of that identity, to nurture it, but also to develop and enrich it in line with the times. But the most important task of new generations is to enrich the bouquet of identities with a new flower - European identity," Cerović emphasized.

According to him, nurturing and awareness of European identity and a sense of belonging to one of the most magnificent state communities in history – the EU – will enrich and strengthen all other identities.

"You can be proud of the fact that you, young people, will be the first generation of children from this area who will incorporate and valorize their own cultural uniqueness in a political creation based on respect for differences and cultural diversity," Cerović emphasized.

Čekić told young people to "guard their hearts from hatred, their minds from superficiality, and their souls from emptiness."

"In a time when the world offers you thousands of paths, the most important thing is not to lose yourself. Build knowledge, be open to others, learn languages ​​and keep up with the modern world, but never forget your roots, family, faith, culture and dignity," said Čekić.

He said that technology can speed up life, but only character gives a person value.

"Therefore, guard your heart from hatred, your mind from superficiality, and your soul from emptiness. Be the generation that will combine knowledge and morality, identity and openness, faith and modernity. The future does not belong to those who talk the most, but to those who work the most on themselves," Čekić emphasized.

The forum held as part of the Bosniak Culture Days event stated that identity is not a static category, but rather multi-layered and subject to constant review and modification in order to respond to the demands of the new times.

"Enriching one's own identity in line with the times implies that an individual integrates new experiences, knowledge and values ​​of the modern era, while retaining what has already marked them - the family community, the city and other factors," it was announced at the forum.

As stated, collective consciousness and the sense of belonging to a community are most influenced by religion, culture and folklore tradition, but also by all new knowledge that needs to be critically approached and examined.

The program was supported by the Fund for the Protection and Exercise of Minority Rights.