In the village of Scipe, near Prozor in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Catholic priest Branko Juric organized an iftar for his Bosniak neighbors. This extraordinary example of interfaith solidarity, held in the birthplace of Juric’s mother, gathered many local residents in a warm atmosphere of unity.
Juric, who serves as the director of the Catholic School Center St. Francis in Tuzla and a former rector of the Pontifical Teutonic College Campo Santo Teutonico in the Vatican, told Anadolu Agency that he has always enjoyed visiting Scipe, a place tied to deep family and friendship memories.
For the iftar, which took place at the local elementary school, Juric arrived accompanied by his parents, father Slavko and mother Anica, and was warmly welcomed by the locals.
Speaking about the significance of a shared iftar, Juric emphasized that such events are an opportunity to share joy and bring people closer, especially this year, as Lent (the Catholic 40-day period of fasting before Easter) and Ramadan coincided.
“A shared iftar is an opportunity to share joy with one another. This year, it coincided with both Lent and Ramadan—both being periods of fasting. It is a time of spiritual renewal, and such a time is also a chance for us to become better people, to strive to be better people. This is a shared opportunity for joy,” Juric said.
“Fasting is also a time of spiritual renewal, an opportunity to become better people. A shared iftar carries exactly this symbolism—the joy of togetherness and mutual respect,” he added.
He particularly emphasized the importance of religious leaders in building bridges among people, especially in places like Scipe, which not so long ago were affected by war.
“This is an opportunity to show that we can and should live together and that we need to heal the wounds of the past,” Juric said, highlighting that true faith implies brotherhood among people, regardless of religious differences.
Amel Imamovic, president of the Klub Scipljaka citizens’ association and longtime president of the local community, expressed his gratitude for the event, emphasizing its symbolic value.
“For us, this is not just another iftar but a powerful message of unity. It is particularly significant because it comes from people of another religious community. But it is not just a formality—you can feel their sincerity and good intentions,” Imamovic said.
He recalled stories from his father, who told him that Catholics in the region had always shown respect for Muslims during Ramadan, a tradition that continues to this day.
“My father told me that Catholics here used to step aside when eating, drinking, or smoking during Ramadan to avoid disturbing those fasting. That kind of respect still exists today, and it is something that connects us,” Imamovic emphasized.
The iftar concluded with a symbolic joint prayer, and attendees were delighted to receive gifts—products made from organically milled flour from Juric’s family-owned mill.
At a time when Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country that not long ago endured a devastating war, faces serious social and political challenges once again, the shared iftar in Scipe serves as a reminder of the importance of mutual respect and unity. As was conveyed at the event, it stands as a clear message that good neighborly relations, solidarity, interfaith tolerance, and respect are not just traditions but essential elements that form the core of the country’s identity.
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