100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RECOGNITION OF ISLAM IN CROATIA

Islamic Community in Croatia marks in 2016 the 100th anniversary of the decision brought by the Parliament of the Kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia, recognising Islam as religion on an equal footing with other religions. Actually on 27 April 1916 the law was proclaimed in Croatian Parliament recognising Islam as religion having equal rights as other religions. There is only one country in Europe which can boast longer tradition in this respect and this is Austria. However, there has to be said that in the past century Croatia has still made the farthest advancement as concerns the regulation of the position of Islam and Muslims. Islamic Community in Croatia is a community of different national and other groups who gather in the Community exclusively to practice religion. Islamic Community is a constitutionally organised community led by the mufti who is also the president of the Meshihat – the supreme executive body. The openness of Croatian society on one side and the willingness of Muslims on the other to integrate in Croatian society is a unique example of the development of multicultural atmosphere and true coexistence. Also this postage stamp with the motif of Zagreb Mosque as the symbol of community and cultural and religious diversity of our capital city but also of the society as a whole, contributes to the promotion of the Republic of Croatia and its true values. Having in mind that the activities of Islamic Community in Croatia have been recognised as integrative and that in cooperation with all social factors we are engaged in promotion of universal values, this postage stamp is a strong confirmation of the integration of Islam and Muslims and of the multicultural diversity of Croatian society. Professor Dr Sc Aziz Effendi Hasanović, President of the Meshihat