THE COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATED MATURITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND CREATIVITY IN THE TIMES OF PANDEMIC

Interview with the director of the Directorate for Religious Affairs of the Islamic Community Ismail-ef. Smajlović

Abstract

UDK 005.7:28-78(497.6)(049.3) 616.98:578.8

In this interview for Novi Muallim, director of the Directorate for Religious Affairs presented activities of the Islamic Community during the pandemic and discussed the methods of institutional organization of religious life within the strains of epidemiological measures. All the bodies of the Islamic Community have diligently and consistently carried out all the epidemiological measures , but at the same time they initiated timely and appropriate steps in order to maintain most of the regular activities in forms which would not jeopardise health and safety of people. The role of the imams and the management in these bodies was crucial in this and it resulted in a fact that not a single mosque or organised religious ceremony was identified as a cluster for the spread of the disease. However, Muslims of our jamaats were not distanced from their Homeland nor from each other. The communication with jamaat members, jamaat management and the imams were maintained throughout the pandemic. The physical distance was observed and its strains as well as the strains of geographical character were overcome by using the online platform of the Riyasat “Teams”. The exchange of letters, telephonic communication and physical presence were used only where it was necessary. In collaboration with the Council of Muftis appropriate decisions (fatwas), directions and other documents were produced as a support to religious authorities in organising religious affairs within their domain. Further, in cooperation with the Directorate for Education and Science numerous muderrises, professors and other staff of educational institutions were involved and included in programs of the Riyasat in these extraordinary circumstances. Maktab class was successfully organised in an online format where muallims, students of maktab class and parents have demonstrated an exceptional enthusiasm in supporting the continuity of these classes.