By: Rakhshanda Mehtab
Each year on March 23rd, several foreign individuals from all sectors of life receive numerous civil awards as a token of gratitude for their contributions to Pakistan. This year, on Pakistan Day, the Government of Pakistan bestowed Dr. Hussain F. Kavazovic, the Grand Mufti of Bosnia, with the “ Sitara e Quaid-e-Azam,” a prestigious civil honour, in appreciation of his invaluable services to Pakistan.
The Grand Mufti of Bosnia arrived in Islamabad on 22nd March. This is his second visit to Pakistan, having previously visited in December 2016. Dr. Hussain F. Kavazovic is highly qualified. He earned his doctorate in Sharia and Law from the Department of Islamic Studies in Sarajevo after attending Al-Azhar University in Egypt from 1985 to 1990. He has helped rebuild Bosnian mosques and religious schools.
He actively participates in charitable endeavours. His significant contribution to founding an organisation that certifies halal food items for Bosnia’s Islamic community was significant. He has also authored multiple books and essays on Comparative and Islamic Law.
He held several fundraising events in 2022 in support of Pakistan after the floods and gave the flood victims more than 200,000 euros. He also donated more than 429,000 Euros to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. Asif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan, gave the dignitary Pakistan’s civil award as a token of gratitude for his contributions to strengthening the country’s ties with other nations. The award was presented to him during a ceremony held at the Pakistani Presidency. On this occasion, Mr. Emin Cohodarevic, the ambassador, was also present.
During his engagements in Pakistan to improve bilateral ties in several areas, such as Islamic education and academic exchanges between the two friendly nations, the esteemed Grand Mufti of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Husein ef Kavazovic, Rais-ul-Ulema, met with several Academic and Governmental officials. He met with Chaudhry Salik Hussain, the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. The Federal Minister had earlier extended a hearty greeting to the Grand Mufti of Bosnia and his colleagues upon their arrival at the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis.
Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain congratulated the Grand Mufti of Bosnia on receiving the Sitara e Quaid-e-Azam at a meeting. Thanking the Federal Minister, Mufti Azam stated that there is a close affinity between the people of Bosnia and Pakistan. According to him, “Pakistani leadership has a prominent position in the Muslim world, and Pakistan played a prominent role in the UN peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.”
The Grand Mufti acknowledged the UN humanitarian missions in Bosnia and Pakistan’s assistance with peacekeeping. He claimed that the two nations have a close relationship and that many important Bosnian officials had Pakistani educational backgrounds.
The Grand Mufti also wished Pakistani brothers and sisters a happy Ramadan and Pakistan Day. The English translations of the Khutbat-e-Qaumi Sirat-ul-Nabi Conference and the Fatwa “Message Pakistan” were given to him.
At the International Islamic University of Islamabad’s new campus, Dr. Husein ef Kavazovic visited Professor Dr. Samina Malik, the university’s rector. The conference concluded with an agreement to expeditiously materialise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in education and experience sharing, thereby strengthening bilateral ties.
At the Faisal Masjid Islamabad on Friday, Dr. Husein ef Kavazovic prayed for Pakistan’s advancement, the well-being of the Muslims in Gaza, and Allah’s cessation of their suffering. He also expressed gratitude for the strong friendship ties between the peoples of Pakistan and Bosnia.
The esteemed guest’s most recent visit will significantly strengthen historical, cultural, and religious ties to the Bosnian people. Governmental and public delegation exchanges will improve bilateral ties even more. Frequent visits should be encouraged to promote friendly political relations and mutual understanding between the two countries.
The writer is a freelance columnist and can be reached at rakhshandamehtab@gmail.com
