Formal developments in IRCICA's activities related to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Upon the invitation of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina. a delegation of IRCICA headed by Director General Professor Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu visited Sarajevo on 22-26 February 1995.
The purpose of this visit was to review the activities and studies IRCICA had undertaken on the subject of the history and culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina and exchange views on the possibilities of further expanding the Centre's activities in the field of cooperation with the relevant Bosnian authorities.
The delegation was received by President Alija Izetbegovic, Deputy President Dr. Ejup Ganic, Prime Minister Dr. Haris Silajdzic, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Irfan Ljubljankic, Minister of Culture Dr. Enes Karic and others.
The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and IRCICA was signed in Sarajevo on 27 January 1996.
The Resolution No. 19/21-C, paragraph No. 3 of the Twenty-First Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Karachi, Pakistan, 25-29 April 1993) on the Destruction of Mosques and Islamic Monuments in Bosnia and Herzegovina "called upon IRCICA to take the necessary steps for the assessment of the damage made to the cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to create a fund to facilitate the restoration of these monuments in cooperation with the International Commission for the Preservation of Islamic Cultural Heritage (ICPICH) and UNESCO",
During his visits to Bosnia and Herzegovina Professor Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu met leading Bosnian intellectuals. A meeting with Professor Dr. Enes Karic and Hafiz Ef. Mahmud Traljic, Sarajevo, September 1999
The Resolution No. 27/7-C (IS), paragraph No. 7 of the Seventh Islamic Summit Conference (Casablanca, Morocco, 13-15 December 1994) stressed "the importance of the project initiated by IRCICA entitled Mostar 2004" and the "progress made in the implementation of this ambitious plan, calling on concerned institutions to provide the necessary support to the Centre to enable it to pursue the project aiming at listing Islamic historical monuments, preserving the unique cultural identity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and protecting its civilisational heritage",
The Resolution No. 28/7-C (IS), paragraph No. 4 of the Seventh Islamic Summit Conference (Casablanca, Morocco, 13-15 December 1994) highlighted the role of IRCICA in "raising the awareness of the world opinion with respect to the Islamic Cultural Heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina".
IRCICA is honoured to be appreciated for its research and activities related to Bosnia and Herzegovina`s history and cultural heritage as expressed in the letter dated 27 January 1996 written by H.E. Dr. Haris Silajdzic (Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina in that time) and addressed to His Majesty Hassan II, King of Morocco and Chairman of the Seventh Islamic Summit. The Prime Minister, on behalf of the Government and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, expressed their gratitude for the contributions made to their cause by the Kingdom of Morocco and the endeavors and mediation of His Majesty the King with the international authorities in order to ensure peace and justice in the country.
The Prime Minister also informed H.M. King Hassan II of Morocco that the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina had established close links with IRCICA and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Centre to expand the ongoing projects that successfully resulted in the formulation of an academic network of professionals and academicians concerned with the reconstruction of the country.
H.E. Dr. Silajdzic stated that the memorandum of understanding represents the recognition of the fruitful projects implemented by IRCICA which were recommended in various OIC resolutions, specifically resolution No. 28/7-C adopted by the Seventh Islamic Summit which was held in Casablanca in December 1994, entrusting IRCICA the role of raising the awareness of the world opinion with respect to the Islamic cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.