On Saturday, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, an event was organised at the Srebrenica Memorial Center where the Muslim-Jewish Peace Initiative was presented with the goal to promote mutual understanding and dialogue between the Jewish and Muslim communities. The initiative was signed by the head of BiH’s Islamic Community Husein Kavazovic and the president of the World Federation of Bergen-Belsen Associations Menachem Z. Rosensaft.

Among those present were also Munira Subasic, president of the Association “Movement of Mothers of the Enclaves of Srebrenica and Zepa” and Jakob Finci, head of the Jewish Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Here is the the The Muslim-Jewish Peace and Rememberance Initiative that was published on Saturday:

“In a world where the echoes of the Holocaust and the Bosnian Srebrenica Genocide still resonate, we, the participants of the Srebrenica Muslim-Jewish Peace and Remembrance Initiative, come together to forge a path of reconciliation, mutual respect, and active peace-building. Our journey is guided by the principles of our ongoing dialogue even in the most difficult times, a beacon guiding our joint commitment to a future where understanding and coexistence can overcome hatred, fear, and war.

Our Commitments:

Dedication to Remembering and Commemorating the Victims of Past Genocides: We commit ourselves to perpetuating the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and of the Srebrenica Genocide so that future generations will remember that they lived and the savage manner in which they were murdered. In so doing we also commit ourselves to doing all in our power to fight against the hatred, antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, racism, and other bigotries that made possible the genocides perpetrated at Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, Srebrenica, Jacenovac, Kigali, and all the other places of horror.

Repudiation of all forms of Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other Bigotries: We commit ourselves to publicly repudiating, condemning, and fighting against all manifestations of antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and other bigotries, and all forms of racial, ethnic, religious, or national hatred. We undertake never to remain silent when men, women, and children are murdered, tortured, raped, taken hostage, or targeted for destruction because of their racial, ethnic, religious, or national identity, and we further undertake to repudiate and condemn any glorification or attempted rehabilitation of the perpetrators of such acts.

Unyielding Dedication to Protecting Life: We are steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding civilian lives. We deplore the loss of life and horrors inherent in all wars and armed conflicts and pray for peace for all of humankind. At the same time, we are mindful that nations have the obligation to defend and protect their citizens and to prevent genocides, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other atrocities. Our collaboration will actively involve securing external support and intervention when needed, with the prime objective of protecting the innocent and vulnerable amidst conflict, including the ongoing and future ones.

Freedom of Expression within a Framework of Respect: We uphold the right of leaders from our communities to voice their concerns and perspectives freely as long as they do so in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance without engaging or acquiescing in hate speech of any kind. Such open expression is vital to fostering understanding and shall not hinder our ongoing dialogue but rather enrich it, creating a foundation of trust and mutual respect.

Consistent, Compassionate Communication: We pledge to maintain consistent and compassionate channels of communication, understanding that empathy and mutual respect are key in navigating and building lasting peace.

Collaborative Efforts in Times of Crisis: In moments of crisis, we stand together, pooling our resources, knowledge, and strategies. Our joint efforts will extend to crisis management, peacekeeping, and recovery operations, ensuring robust support and protection for our communities.

Our Vision:

Bound by our history and driven by a shared responsibility to future generations, this declaration symbolizes our commitment to a world where differences become bridges of learning, and every life is a cherished treasure.

In closing, we reflect on the wisdom of our respective traditions:

From the Holy Quran: “Whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely”
(Quran 5:32).

From the Talmud: “Whoever saves a single life is considered by scripture to have saved the whole world” (Sanhedrin 37a).

These teachings inspire and guide our efforts as we forge ahead, united in our resolve to protect, respect, and celebrate the sanctity of human life. Let this declaration be our guiding light, a promise to future generations, and a testament to the power of cooperation and mutual respect in building a world of enduring peace and harmony.”