The leader of the Bosniak Democratic Movement (BDP), Sead Šahman, highlighted the concerning trend among authorities to dismantle and erase Islamic heritage rather than safeguard and enhance it.

As previously announced, the Bosniak Democratic Movement hosted an iftar in Podgorica to honor the month of Ramadan.

Šahman emphasized that the traditional iftar dinner embodies unity and harmony. With a diverse group of attendees from various sectors of public life, he remarked that this gathering reflects “Montenegro in miniature.”

He stated that it is utterly unacceptable, regardless of the source, for anyone to express gratitude to members of Islam and national minorities for what he called “perceiving our Montenegro as their country.”

Reports indicate that Šahman asserted Montenegro has always been, and should remain, a nation for all its citizens, irrespective of their religious or national backgrounds.

“The BDP president also addressed the recent decision by the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property concerning the demolition of the mosque in Konik, noting the government’s inclination to dismantle Islamic heritage instead of preserving and enhancing it,” the release stated.

He recalled that the Constitution of the Principality of Montenegro, enacted in 1905, acknowledged Islam as a legitimate faith and granted religious freedom. He pointed out that this year marks the 120th anniversary of that Constitution, where Montenegro became the first European nation to recognize Islam and provide at least minimal institutional support for religious sites.

“Today, 120 years later, rather than preserving and promoting Islamic cultural heritage, we observe the current government working to erase it under the guise of administrative and urban planning methods,” Šahman remarked.

He also expressed that Montenegro is the homeland of our ancestors and the future of our children, affirming the Bosniak community’s strong interest in the economic, cultural, and overall prosperity of the social fabric.

The BDP communicated that the iftar was graced by the presence of Elmedin Konaković, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and president of the political party “People and Justice.”

“President Šahman extended his gratitude to Konaković for his attendance, stating that Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina share a cordial relationship with no unresolved issues, while also stressing the potential for better relations across various social dimensions. He insisted that discussions about good neighborly relations must transcend mere political maneuvers, contributing to genuine improvements for the citizens of both nations,” the BDP statement conveyed.

“The gathering also saw the attendance of representatives from the diplomatic corps, including Ukraine’s Ambassador Oleg Gerasimenko, Romania’s Ambassador Viorel Ardeleanu, North Macedonia’s Ambassador Zećir Remčilović, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ambassador Branimir Jukić. Šahman expressed his hopes for a swift peace for the Ukrainian people, disrupted over three years ago due to Russian aggression, while also expressing concern for the suffering of Palestinian children in Gaza, particularly with regard to the destruction of their homes even after a ceasefire was implemented in the region,” it concluded.

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