Former Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mustafa Cerić, has praised Kosovo for organizing the repatriation of Bosnian citizens from the United Arab Emirates, saying the operation demonstrated how a functional state should act when people need help.
In his latest commentary titled “A Flight From Riyadh and a Lesson From Pristina,” Cerić wrote that the flight carrying 14 citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina from Riyadh to Pristina was not only a humanitarian mission but also a political and moral lesson.
According to Cerić, the rescue operation was not organized by Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite the passengers being its citizens. Instead, it was arranged by the Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, with support from Kosovo’s diplomatic network, including the Kosovo Embassy in Zagreb.
He emphasized that while Bosnian institutions were still sending requests and waiting for solutions, Kosovo acted quickly to ensure the safe return of the citizens.
Cerić described the event as a clear example of solidarity and effective governance, noting that in bureaucratic language it may be called repatriation, but in political terms it represents a functioning state capable of protecting people.
The former religious leader also highlighted the historical ties between Bosniaks and Albanians, saying the relationship goes back centuries and has been shaped by shared struggles for identity, dignity, and freedom.
According to him, the incident also exposes a difficult reality for Bosnia and Herzegovina, suggesting that a country unable to respond quickly when its citizens face hardship abroad must seriously reflect on the effectiveness of its institutions.
Cerić concluded that beyond the political implications, one simple human fact remains: 14 Bosnian families now know their loved ones were not abandoned, thanks to the actions taken by Kosovo.
