Bosnia’s Grand Mufti’s powerful message at Srebrenica Memorial: We will not forget, we will not be broken

Standing before thousands of mourners and the graves of victims, Kavazovic paid tribute to the more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys murdered in July 1995, and warned against attempts to erase the truth or equate victims with perpetrators.

“We have carried this grief for 30 years,” he said. “But pain has not broken us. We did not bow before evil. Instead, we learned how to bear it, and to remember.”

“We stand against forgetfulness and falsified history”

The Grand Mufti stressed that remembrance is an act of resistance:

“Srebrenica has taught us that evil never rests. It hides, then reemerges and targets the victim again. Today we live in a time of growing denial. Those who glorify war criminals hope to blur the line between truth and lies, victim and executioner. But we will not retreat.”

Kavazovic also called on religious and community leaders to guard against apathy and political manipulation, stating that “deep, sincere faith must lead to action and goodness.”

A call to protect Srebrenica and secure the future

He closed by urging the global community to stand firm in defence of truth, peace, and justice, warning that remembering Srebrenica is a sacred responsibility for generations to come.

“Let this field of white tombstones be our reminder: hatred cannot lead to love. Violence cannot bring freedom. May Srebrenica forever teach us what must never be repeated.”