"Islamic faithful and Bosniaks are an important part of the Croatian society," the president told reporters after his meeting with Islamic dignitaries in Zagreb. "They make a special contribution to Croatia, from the Homeland Defence War in which they participated to economic development," Josipovic said. Describing Croatia as a country with freedom of religion, he said he was glad to see that Muslim believers felt the same. The Croatian president also expects the fast completion of the construction of the Islamic centre in Rijeka. Sevko Omerbasic thanked Josipovic for his best wishes on the biggest Islamic holiday.