Last night, the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro held a ceremonial academy in Podgorica to commemorate June 20th – the Day of the National Muslims of Montenegro, according to the Bar info portal.

Organizers revealed that six years earlier, the Council decided to declare June 20th as the Day of the National Muslims of Montenegro in honor of June 20th, 1912, when Prince Nikola appointed Murteza Karađuzović as the Mufti of Montenegrin Muslims, establishing a spiritual leader from the indigenous population for the first time in history.

The President of the Council, Sabrija Vulić, highlighted the ongoing “assimilation and discrimination affecting Muslims in Montenegro.”

“Is anyone concerned that there hasn’t been a single national Muslim in the state parliament in recent convocations? Is it alarming that the number of ethnic Muslims in local parliaments in Montenegro has dwindled to just a handful? Will anyone address the discrimination faced by ethnic Muslims in Montenegro, who are under intense pressure to change their nationality? This pressure is particularly acute for members of the Montenegrin nation and, of course, for the newly formed Bosniaks in Montenegro. Will any organization focused on minority and human rights inquire why there isn’t a single ethnic Muslim in prominent positions within the state or Podgorica? Is there any voice apart from ours discussing the fact that the Commission for allocating funds from the Minority Rights Protection and Realization Fund consists of seven, or even six, members from one ethnic minority? Regrettably, this year’s important moment for over 10,000 ethnic Muslims in Montenegro must be overshadowed by issues that should have been addressed long ago,” Vulić stated.

The Secretary General, Dr. Kadrija Kurpejović, emphasized that the appointment of Murteza Karađuzović as the mufti was more than a mere administrative act.

“It signified recognition that national Muslims are an integral part of Montenegrin society. Since that time, Muslims have considered Montenegro their home, speaking its language, preserving their faith and culture, while fostering trust with all who value dialogue, justice, and togetherness. Reflecting on this, our minority community in Montenegro seeks not privileges but the acknowledgment of our contributions; we have built Montenegro and will continue with the same dedication in the future. Our faith teaches us humility before God, and our history ensures our responsibility to our people. We uphold both principles with pride. We believe that our identity should unite us rather than divide us. Just as Prince Nikola once recognized the dignity of Muslims in Montenegro, may today’s state appreciate the strength in each voice contributing to our mutual respect and common good,” Kurpejović remarked.

He urged relevant state bodies to enhance efforts to reform educational curricula and strengthen Public Service Broadcasting to promote the heritage of ethnic Muslims.

“Our identity should not be a mere footnote in the annals of history, but a foundational element of our social fabric. While we celebrate our past and the struggle to protect our identity, we look forward with hope to future generations who will speak the Montenegrin language and consider Montenegro their one true homeland—a homeland that must recognize their worth and respect them through the institutions that we have all contributed to equally,” Kurpejović added.

Bar Info reported that annual awards from the Council were presented during the ceremony.

The most esteemed award for preserving the national identity of Montenegro’s Muslims went to Dr. Milan Šćekić, who has conducted extensive research and published several works focusing specifically on the history of national Muslims in Montenegro and their contributions through articles in “Glas Mrkojevića”.

In his speech, Šćekić expressed surprise at receiving the award.

“For several years, I’ve been editing a column in ‘Glas Mrkojevića’ where I publish previously unpublished documents related to Muslims in Montenegro, particularly in the southern region. This accolade holds significant meaning for me, especially since I’ve also explored the experiences of Montenegrins and Albanians. I am thrilled that the Council of Muslims has acknowledged my efforts with respect, which motivates me to further research and promote the Muslim community’s position, cultural heritage, and national identity in the future,” Šćekić stated.

Following the Ceremonial Academy, the “Days of Muslims of Montenegro” will commence on Monday, June 23, with a children’s art workshop in Bar, the launch of the “Zupci Times” Collection created in partnership with the Croatian National Council, and the screening of the film “Rožajska svadba” as part of the documentary “Traditional Muslim Wedding in Montenegro”. Alongside this film, a Monograph on Traditional Wedding Celebrations of Muslims in Montenegro will also be unveiled.

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