Religious Representatives from Kosovo Visit BiH Inter-Religious Council

SARAJEVO, 22 April 2015 – The establishment and challenges in the functioning of inter-religious council and the best practices in promoting inter-faith dialogue were the focus of a two-day study visit of Kosovo religious representatives to the Inter-Religious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which concluded today.

The visit is part of an OSCE Mission in Kosovo-run project aimed at promoting inter-faith dialogue and helping religious communities in Kosovo shape policies on issues of common concern. During the study trip the participants also visited religious and historical sites in Sarajevo. 

“One of the objectives of our project is to establish an inter-religious council in Kosovo in 2015, and we hope that the lessons learned in BiH will be applied in the best possible way,” said Valbone Dermaku, Human Rights Advisor in the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

For Vedat Sahiti of the Islamic Community in Kosovo, it was “of particular benefit to learn how the principle of consensus in the work of the inter-religious council functions in reality.”

Srđan Stanković, representing the Serbian Orthodox Church, highlighted the importance of keeping the communication channels with the Council in BiH open, both during the establishment of the Council in Kosovo as well as afterwards as partners in promoting inter-religious dialogue.

Representatives from Kosovo were Artur Krasniqi of the Protestant-Evangelist Church, Don Lush Gjergji of the Catholic Church, Ines Demiri of the Jewish community, Srđan Stanković of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Vedat Sahiti of the Islamic community.