The Sarajevo Haggadah: A symbol of universal solidarity honored on Capitol Hill

The event, attended by Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic and Presidency Chair Denis Becirovic alongside members of the US Congress, the Senate, and the diplomatic corps, utilized the historic manuscript to highlight Bosnia’s enduring tradition of interfaith courage and its strategic commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration.

Foreign Minister Konakovic emphasized that the Haggadah’s survival through the Inquisition, the Holocaust, and the Siege of Sarajevo reflects a "deeply rooted tradition of mutual respect." He recalled the heroic 1942 rescue of the book by librarian Dervis Korkut, who hid it in a mosque, and the 1819 Sarajevo Purim when Muslims defended their Jewish neighbors. Konakovic stated that defending the heritage of another is an act of justice, serving as a universal call to action against rising antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Chair Becirovic characterized Bosnia as a vital cultural bridge where mosques, churches, and synagogues coexist in close proximity. He explicitly rejected narratives of a "clash of civilizations," labelling such claims as malicious propaganda. Becirovic noted that the same dangerous rhetoric used to demonize Bosniaks prior to the 1990s genocide is resurfacing today. The Presidency Chair reaffirmed that the country remains a reliable member of the Global Coalition against Terrorism.

Addressing regional stability, Becirovic framed Bosnia’s entry into NATO as an investment in collective trans-Atlantic security rather than just a national interest. He concluded that the country's millennial history and secure future within the Euro-Atlantic family serve as a testament to the importance of American leadership. The event underscored that protecting cultural heritage and human dignity remains an inseparable responsibility for the international community.