The position of Muslims in Croatia is enviable when compared to the other states in the region and the contractual relationship between the Croatian government and the Meshihat of the Islamic Community in Croatia is an example that should be followed by all European countries, Zagreb Mufti Aziz Hasanovic was quoted as saying in Wednesday's issue of Sarajevo's Dnevni Avaz daily.
He said the contract signed in 2002 "is in line with the official recognition of Islam in 1916 and can serve as an example, but also as a model in seeking solutions for Muslim communities in European countries as well as a model in solving (the status) of Christian minorities in the Islamic world."
Hasanovic said the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina was preparing a contract to legally strengthen its position in line with the solution in force in Croatia.
He said the status of Muslims in Croatia was so good that it could not be undermined by incidents such as the one when a drunk young man recently threw stones at the mosque and Islamic centre in Rijeka.
"The position of Muslims in Croatia is enviable when compared to the neighbouring countries. We are happy to have such a beautiful and representative religious facility in Rijeka," he was quoted as saying. He added that the statements made at the opening of the Rijeka mosque by Croatian, Bosnian and Qatari officials were much stronger than such incidents.
