THE ASSOCIATION OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES TEACHERS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

FROM IDEA TO IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract

In this paper, submitted for The 2nd Assembly of Islamic Religious Studies Teachers – held on April 11th 2010 at Potočari, Srebrenica, the author explores possibilities and stresses the need for the creation of a unique association of religious studies teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Association of Religious Studies Teachers of the Sarajevo Canton was founded in June 2006, and The Council of Religious Studies Teachers in the Mufti Unit of Tuzla was founded the in January 2007. The author believes that it is necessary to make a joint organization out of the two existing associations, yet respecting the basic minimum standards, which, according to his beliefs, are: legitimacy – to gather together all the mufti unit representatives; validation – to get a mandate from The Council of the Islamic Community; loyalty – to be registered as a citizen association. The author itemizes specific steps regarding the implementation of this idea and points out its main initial activity guidelines. At the end of the paper, the author emphasizes that the time has come for setting up a unique association and organized activities regarding all the religious studies teachers of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be the only way through which they can achieve their status on an equal footing with other associations.