A Special Visit on 9-11

The person who spoke is significant, as was the timing of his visit, as was the location of his speech

Something notable took place on Sept. 11 this year. The Mufti of all Kosovo visited Prishtina High School and spoke to the entire student body. A Mufti is the chief Muslim official over a given geographic area. This particular one is President of the Muslim Council of Kosovo. It was newsworthy, and the local TV station sent a team to cover the event.

Prishtina High School is a combined project of several organizations, including Comenserv. It's the brainchild of John Chestnut (who ministers in northern Kosovo) and Don Tingle (who ministers in the south). The school is a not for profit corporation and it is purposely a non-religious institution. My wife is a teacher there.

The fact that the highest ranking Islamic official visited an American-style High School whose support comes largely from Christians is noteworthy all by itself. The timing of his visit is also significant. First of all, it happened right in the middle of Ramazan. Ramazan is the holiest time of year in Islam. It is the month of fasting, and anything like this takes on a special meaning. The Mufti deliberately scheduled his visit because of this.

Secondly, the Mufti visited on September 11. Many of my American friends are surprised to hear that Kosovars commemorate 9-11. By visiting on this day, the Mufti displayed solidarity between Kosovo and the USA. The picture on the right is an example of this. I snapped this shot of Enise on 9-11 as we walked back from the Kosovo National Symphony's concert honoring America. The poster behind my wife is a picture of the New York landscape. The two candles are where the twin towers stood. It is one of their ways of showing sympathy about our loss.

The words that were spoken on this occasion were significant too. Don opened by reminding everyone that this school was a gift from American Christians to the nation of Kosovo. He briefly explained how he and the Mufti met, and then he turned things over to him.

The Mufti's message covered three basic points. First of all, he spoke strongly against the terrorism that caused 9-11. Quoting the Koran, he reminded the audience that these unfathomable acts were great sins against God. He emphasized that Islam is a religion of peace.

Secondly, the Mufti explained in detail that the three great monotheistic faiths, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, should exist together with an air of respect. He said this also was the will of God.

Thirdly, and importantly for the school, the Mufti officially welcomed us into the country. And he would like for our school and the Islamic school in Prishtina to cooperate on various social and academic projects.

Kosovo is a secular government, and the Mufti's feelings carry no legal weight one way or the other. But it is a wonderful thing to have good relations like this. The most recognized Muslim in Kosovo welcomes a school provided by those who follow Jesus.