Sarajevo, November 18, 2024 – A working meeting was held at the Ibis Hotel, gathering representatives of the umbrella organizations of the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in the diaspora, members of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, office directors, and representatives of the Waqf Directorate. The main topics of the meeting included education, as well as improving communication and coordination among the organizational units of the Islamic Community.
One of the speakers was Dr. Senaid Zajimović, Director of the Waqf Directorate, who presented key challenges and opportunities related to waqf property management. In his presentation titled "Implementation of the Rules on the Legal Status of Waqf Property and Endowments in the Bosniak Diaspora," Dr. Zajimović emphasized the importance of adhering to the regulations adopted in 2014, stating that endowment of property is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility toward future generations.
A particular emphasis was placed on the need for more efficient procedures for establishing waqfs, which include submitting requests to the Waqf Directorate, review and approval by the Council of Muftis, and issuing a waqf deed as the final document. The establishment of a unified waqf property registry was identified as essential for the long-term protection and sustainable management of these resources.
"Waqf property is not just a heritage; it is the foundation of our identity. Actively implementing rules and procedures ensures its lasting protection and purposeful use," stated Dr. Zajimović, calling on congregations and umbrella organizations in the diaspora to show greater seriousness and responsibility in this area.
In addition to the above, the presentation reviewed current statistics on waqfs in the diaspora, highlighting positive examples from Sweden, Austria, and Germany, while also noting that the engagement of other congregations has not reached a satisfactory level.
Dr. Zajimović also stressed the importance of engaging congregation representatives in informing their members about challenges related to property rights in the Republika Srpska entity. He particularly pointed out the need to raise awareness about active participation in the implementation of the Law on Surveying and Cadastre of RS and the Law on Property Tax Payment in RS, to prevent losses due to administrative oversights or improper procedures.
"I urge you, as representatives of congregations, to inform your members in a timely manner about the importance of participating in the implementation of property laws in the RS entity. It is particularly important that owners who are unable to directly engage in these processes authorize a lawyer or a trusted person to safeguard their rights. Otherwise, commissions responsible for property assessments may make decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate data, often resulting in the loss of Bosniak property rights in RS."
In several cases, it has been recorded that due to a lack of owner activity, property has been improperly registered as state-owned, permanently stripping its rightful owners of their rights.
The working meeting served as a platform for constructive discussions and experience-sharing among participants, ultimately emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in preserving and properly managing waqf property in the diaspora.
