Zagreb - Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said on Wednesday Croatia aimed to build a tolerant society, noting that this year marks 110 years since Islam was recognised as an equal religion in the country.
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition “Hagia Sophia Through Time” and a roundtable on the contribution of the Islamic community to Croatia’s multicultural environment at the community headquarters, Jandroković said parliament would sponsor events marking the anniversary, with formal confirmation expected at a presidency session on Friday.
The event was attended by Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, mufti Aziz ef Hasanović and other officials.
Jandroković said that at a time marked by conflict, intolerance and war, there was a need to reverse negative trends and reflect on the kind of world being left to future generations.
He said talks with Kurtulmuş had reaffirmed strong bilateral relations between Croatia and Turkey, describing them as friendly and without outstanding issues, with broadly aligned views on global peace, international law and multilateralism.
He added that despite current instability, efforts should focus on preserving positive achievements and preparing for a return to peace, recalling Turkey’s role during the conflicts of the 1990s in the former Yugoslavia and the importance of international order for securing peace in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Jandroković warned that smaller states were increasingly exposed in a less stable international order, particularly when facing territorial ambitions of larger powers.
He also thanked members of the Islamic community for their contribution to Croatia’s defence during the 1990s war.
Kurtulmuş said the Islamic minority in Croatia was an integral part of society, able to freely express and preserve its faith, and expressed appreciation for its status. He said that in turbulent times, differences should be seen as a source of value and richness, while stressing the importance of working towards shared goals.
Referring to the exhibition, he described Hagia Sophia as more than an architectural monument, portraying it as a symbol of tolerance, coexistence and respect for diversity.
Hasanović said the Islamic community in Croatia was marking 110 years of institutional presence, recalling that on 27 April 1916, parliament passed legislation recognising Islam as an equal religion. He said the community had made a significant contribution to the foundations of the modern Croatian state, including its defence and international recognition.