“Diaspora and immigrant identities: social, cultural, political and religious-spiritual aspects” is the theme of a two-day international conference, which started yesterday in Sarajevo.
The organizer of the conference, the Institute of Islamic tradition of Bosniaks, said that the stories of successful BiH citizens who live abroad are motivational, but the actual system and dedicated approach to their needs does not exist.
“On rare occasions when our diaspora is talked about it seems that there is always a focus on economic and political dimension of their experience and activities, much less on the socio-cultural and religious dimension of their lives,” said a statement from the Institute.
Therefore, the conference deals with this aspect of diaspora and migrant identity, and gathers relevant scientists and researchers who are dealing with this issue and they will present their stories and experiences related to the retention of their language and identity, the ways in which their identities are transformed, their challenge and development and their models of organization and action.
The conference will be attended by 23 experts on specific topics, and opening remarks were made by professors dr. Jorgen Nielsen from the UK, Dr. Xavier Bougarel (France), Dr. Safet Bandžović (BiH), Dr. Hariz Halilovic, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia / University of California, Los Angeles (USA), Dr. Fethi Ahmed, Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar), Umit Vural, Mag In Law (Austria).
The conference started yesterday at 9 am in the Great Hall of Gazi Husrev-bey’s Library.
(Source: Fena/ photo faktor.ba)