Mostar’s local mufti, Salem Dedovic, sent a letter of support to the deputy head of the local Franciscan order Iko Skoko on Wednesday, expressing sympathy for the coronavirus infected in the monastery in Miletina and the ‘Majcino Selo’ orphanage in Medjugorje.

Local authorities have on Tuesday quarantined the Miletina Monastery and the Majcino Selo orphanage, which is home to about 50 children, after several nuns working there tested positive for COVID-19.

“As the Mufti of Mostar, as a brother and a friend, I express my deepest sympathies for our brethren, the Franciscans in Herzegovina, who were struck by the big challenge of the coronavirus within their ranks, and I ask from dear God to make this easier for you and to remove this illness and grant you strength and patience,” the Mufti's message said.

“We all together committed to doing good and hope for healing, united in prayer, all in their own way. We seek comfort and hope from dear God,” he added.

Friar Iko Skoko thanked the Mufti for his understanding and his words of encouragement.

The Mostar Mufti also spoke to the Bishop of Zahumlje and Herzegovina Eparchy, the diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church seated in Mostar, Bishop Dimitrije Radjenovic.

He asked about the challenges the Serbian Orthodox Church is facing due to the coronavirus crisis at the moment.

Bishop Radjenovic thanked the Mufti for his brotherly concern and his love for dialogue among the religious communities in Herzegovina, the Mufti’s office said.