CHRISTIANITY IN BiH BETWEEN PRESSURES AND GROWING RADICALISM

It is particularly concerning that political and media circles in Sarajevo not only fail to recognize the problem, but immediately label any story about the endangerment of Christians as "nationalism," "secessionism," or "Russophilic propaganda". This creates an atmosphere in which it is acceptable to attack or downplay the suffering of Christians, while remaining silent about the radicalization of Islam.

By: Tatjana Parađina ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 2 /SRNA/ - Christianity in BiH, whether Orthodoxy or Catholicism, has faced serious challenges for decades. On one hand, we witness the systematic erosion of Christian religious rights, destruction and desecration of churches, and the belittling of holidays and traditions. On the other hand, radical Islamic currents, disguised under the Muslim guise of alleged "multiethnicity," "tolerance," and "coexistence," are strengthening, even though they pose the greatest threat to the stability of BiH and the very survival of Christians in the region. Since the war, a strong network of mujahideen who killed Christians in BiH has persisted, along with their followers, whose camps, parajamaats, and Wahhabi communities have for years served as hotbeds of intolerance toward, as they call them, "infidels". These radical circles not only promote an ideology opposed to every multiethnic society and all forms of religious and social tolerance, but also directly threaten the security of both Christians and Muslims who do not share their vision of a Sharia-based BiH. The existence of dozens of Wahhabi communities in BiH, in the heart of Europe, shows that institutions, not only in the FBiH and at the BiH level, but also in Brussels, deliberately turn a blind eye to the fact that Christianity in BiH is under attack. While radical Islam is largely ignored, Christians face constant pressure and open threats. Orthodox Serbs in the Federation of BiH have almost disappeared, and every year the Catholic population continues to decline. The mass departures from areas with a majority Muslim population are not coincidental; they are the result of the systematic marginalization of Christians, ranging from the denial of rights to work and openly practice their faith, to subtle as well as very overt pressures and threats. SURVIVAL OF CHRISTIANS - QUESTION OF FREEDOM AND SURVIVAL OF BiH It is particularly concerning that political and media circles in Sarajevo not only fail to recognize the problem, but immediately label any story about the endangerment of Christians as "nationalism," "secessionism," or "Russophilic propaganda". This creates an atmosphere in which it is acceptable to attack or downplay the suffering of Christians, while remaining silent about the radicalization of Islam. If this trend continues, BiH could become a country without Christians, a country of a single religion and a single "truth," a country governed by Sharia law. This poses the greatest threat to its survival and future. The rise of radical Islam endangers not only Serbs and Croats but also Muslims who wish to live in a normal, democratic society. It is therefore high time for this issue to be addressed openly, without fear, and especially without diplomatic euphemisms. Christians in BiH are not a minority meant to suffer or fall victim to Islamic radicalism. Christianity is at the root of BiH's very origin. Any threat to Christianity is simultaneously an attack on BiH itself and its prospects for the future, as well as an assault on all of Europe, whose people have also been victims of the most dangerous and brutal forms of Islamic radicalism, which continue to spread day by day.