President to mufti: Serbia appreciates those who love her

BELGRADE Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic presented the Islamic Community of Serbia's Grand Mufti Hamdija Jusufspahic with a state honor in a ceremony on Thursday. The accolade in question is the Sretenje Medal, first class, a state decoration awarded for extraordinary achievements and personal contribution to inter-religious cooperation, tolerance and Serbia's representation abroad. President to mufti: Serbia appreciates those who love her The ailing honorary head of the Islamic Community of Serbia attended the ceremony but did not address the participants, in what was his first public appearance in several years. Nikolic thanked Jusufspahic on behalf of all the people of Serbia, adding that Serbia knew how to appreciate those who loved and respected her. "God wanted me to be in a position where I could mend some of the errors of my predecessors and not leave too many mistakes to those who will come after me," Nikolic stated. He called Jusufspahic "a righteous man". "Hajji Hamdija survived Communism, Socialism, democracy, and I was impatient for an opportunity to repay him for everything he has done for his country. Everything's in God's hands: and our friendship has been crowned today because Serbia knows how to appreciate those who love and appreciate her," the president said in his address. The Thursday ceremony, also marking the 45th anniversary since Jusufspahic bacame the imam of Belgrade, would have served its purpose "if only one mindless person turns to serve their people the way Jusufspahic does", Nikolic noted. Jusufspahic's son, Muhamed Jusufspahic, read the mufti's message, calling for an end to misunderstandings between the Orthodox Christians and Muslims and pointing out to the Muslims that "God demanded respect for one's country". The current Mufti of Serbia also wished for God's blessing and assistance to Nikolic in his "righteous path", and added: "There are many who are both Serbs and no Serbs, Serbians and no Serbians, Muslims and no Muslims, who will not understand this. Belonging to God does not exclude belonging to Serbia. As my father would say: do what is most needed to correct mistakes, so that the Orthodox and the Muslims love each other more." Ministers Bratislav Petkovic, Sulejman Ugljanin, Grand Mufti of Russia Sheikh-ul-Islam Talgat Tajuddni, other religious dignitaries, including SPC Patriarch Irinej, and diplomats all attended the ceremony. Nikolic also today presented Sretenje Medal, second class, to Serbian Orthodox Church official Jovan Radosavljevic, Catholic Church official Jakob Pfajfer, Reform Christian Church Bishop Istvan Cetemesi and head of the Alliance of Jewish Municipalities in Serbia Aca Singer. (Beta) Beta Tanjug

President to mufti: Serbia appreciates those who love her

The ailing honorary head of the Islamic Community of Serbia attended the ceremony but did not address the participants, in what was his first public appearance in several years.

Nikolić thanked Jusufspahić on behalf of all the people of Serbia, adding that Serbia knew how to appreciate those who loved and respected her.

"God wanted me to be in a position where I could mend some of the errors of my predecessors and not leave too many mistakes to those who will come after me," Nikolić stated.

He called Jusufspahić "a righteous man".

"Hajji Hamdija survived Communism, Socialism, democracy, and I was impatient for an opportunity to repay him for everything he has done for his country. Everything's in God's hands: and our friendship has been crowned today because Serbia knows how to appreciate those who love and appreciate her," the president said in his address.

The Thursday ceremony, also marking the 45th anniversary since Jusufspahić bacame the imam of Belgrade, would have served its purpose "if only one mindless person turns to serve their people the way Jusufspahić does", Nikolić noted.

Jusufspahić's son, Muhamed Jusufspahić, read the mufti's message, calling for an end to misunderstandings between the Orthodox Christians and Muslims and pointing out to the Muslims that "God demanded respect for one's country".

The current Mufti of Serbia also wished for God's blessing and assistance to Nikolić in his "righteous path", and added:

"There are many who are both Serbs and no Serbs, Serbians and no Serbians, Muslims and no Muslims, who will not understand this. Belonging to God does not exclude belonging to Serbia. As my father would say: do what is most needed to correct mistakes, so that the Orthodox and the Muslims love each other more."

Ministers Bratislav Petković, Sulejman Ugljanin, Grand Mufti of Russia Sheikh-ul-Islam Talgat Tajuddni, other religious dignitaries, including SPC Patriarch Irinej, and diplomats all attended the ceremony.

Nikolić also today presented Sretenje Medal, second class, to Serbian Orthodox Church official Jovan Radosavljević, Catholic Church official Jakob Pfajfer, Reform Christian Church Bishop Istvan Cetemesi and head of the Alliance of Jewish Municipalities in Serbia Aca Singer.