DR. CERIC, SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE BOSNIAN-HERZEGOVINAN ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY, RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT KUCAN

Ljubljana, 30 September 1999



The President of the Republic, Mr Milan Kucan, received the spiritual leader of the Bosnian-Herzegovinan Islamic community, Reis Ul Ulema Dr.Mustafa Ceric. The Reis Ul Ulema informed President Kucan of the idea for the Bosnian Islamic community in Slovenia to be led by a Mufti in the future. In Dr. Ceric's assessment Bosnian Muslims are well integrated into Slovenian society and do not feel discriminated against, they would however like to see the construction of a mosque where they could practice their religious beliefs. Dr. Ceric expressed his certainty that in Slovenia's democratic and tolerant society legitimate rights to free choice of religion and religious practice in accordance with Slovenian legislation cannot and will not be a problem. President Kucan and the high guest also discussed possible initiatives for the stabilisation of inter-ethnic relations in the unsettled Balkans by reviving ecumenical meetings between Catholics, the Orthodox Church and Muslims.