Foreign minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bisera Turković, met with Hujjat al-Islam Sayed Abulhasan Navab at the University of Religions and Denominations on Friday, August 6, 2021.

According to the Public Relations Office of the university, Foreign Minister Bisera Turković, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, and the Vice Prime Minister met with Hujjat al-Islam Sayed Abulhasan Navab, the President of the University of Religions and Denominations.

They were welcomed by Hujjat al-Islam Navab: “I am honored to recognize myself as a citizen of Bosnia. I have travelled to Bosnia and Herzegovina more than 50 times, and have done whatever I could for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia is in our heart. During the conflicts in Bosnia, I got about to martyrdom while visiting the battlefields. I was also in contact with the foreign minister and the defense minister, the late Mr. Rizvan. They were martyred, but I did not have the honor [to be martyred]”.

While referring to the academic characteristics of the foreign minister of Bosnia, he continued: today is a historical and memorable day for the University of Religions and Denominations. In fact, hosting any Bosnian figure at our university would be an honor for us. I feel that your presence here is a great opportunity for us and for the people of Bosnia.

He later introduced the University of Religions and Denominations as an international university and indicated: this is the only university of religions and denominations in the world. In view of this university, the interfaith dialogue is an essential matter in today’s human life.

Great people such as Professor Hamid Algar have also acknowledged this fact. The University of Religions and Denominations is an honor to the Seminary and Iran. Three quarters of our students are international students from 40 countries, and this number is increasing. The University of Religions and Denominations has 14 faculties.

Expressing happiness being at the University of Religions and Denominations, Ms. Turković also mentioned: I deeply believe that without Iran’s presence in Bosnia in the most difficult situations, Bosnia would have never been in today’s conditions. The support of the Iranian people has been invaluable.

Turković further commemorated the martyrs in Bosnia war and said: with great sadness, we honor the memory of the Iranian martyrs in Bosnia, whose blood along with the blood of Bosnian martyrs, deepened these relations and strengthened the foundation of the newly established country of Bosnia. Bosnia will never be able to compensate or pay for the Iranian martyrs, whose blood saved the people and country of Bosnia.

During the war in Bosnia, I was in Croatia as the first ambassador on behalf of Ali Ezzat Begović and witnessed Iran’s aid to Bosnia. I affirm your words regarding the important and sacred goals in establishing this great university and the importance of interfaith dialogue. To me, the interfaith dialogue is the most important matter in today’s world.

In addition to Bisera Turković, other figures were also present in this meeting including the ambassador of the Republic of Bosnia, the president of Iran-and-Bosnia Friendship Association, and a number of university authorities.

At the end of the meeting, President Hujjat al-Islam Navab presented the special plaque of the university to Ms. Turković, while wearing the remembrance poppy pin for the Bosnian martyrs woven by the martyrs’ mothers. This remembrance symbol is considered as the most important symbol in Bosnia.