We are deeply troubled by the senseless and brutal murder of another one of our neighbors, Zemir Begi?. Our thoughts and prayers are with Zemir's family and the whole Bosnian community experiencing sorrow and loss, which are all too familiar to Bosnians and others who have endured persecution.
Tens of thousands of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have made St. Louis home after being forced to flee their country in the early 1990s, losing everything and suffering the killing of family members and friends. They have since helped to revitalize St. Louis—especially the south side—through hard work and entrepreneurship. The heinous murders of two Bosnian men over the past eighteen months have disturbed and frightened the Bosnian community, reawakening concerns about safety and well-being.
Even as we condemn the murder of Zemir Begi?, we call upon everyone in St. Louis to embrace peace and unity and to strive for a stronger and safer community.
We call upon the St. Louis City Police to strengthen their presence in all parts of the city, including the Bevo Mill neighborhood, and to communicate and cooperate with all citizens in order to make St. Louis safer.
We call for better communication among citizens of all backgrounds.
We call upon all voices in the traditional media and in the social media to speak of this tragedy with compassion and kindness and to refrain from promoting hatred or discord.
Bosnians know the consequences of division and violence as well as anyone in our community. Let us build upon that experience as we repair our broken hearts and divided city. With a spirit that unites the best of Bosnia and America, we affirm our resolve to bring forth a better tomorrow for everyone in St. Louis. Thank you,
Association of Survivors of the Srebrenica Genocide - Mirsad Salihovic, PresidentBosnian Chamber of Commerce - Sadik Kukic, President
Bosnian Islamic Center - Enver Kunic, Imam
Bosnia Memory Project at Fontbonne University - Dr. Ben Moore, Director
Center for Survivors of Torture & War Trauma - Kristin Bulin, Executive Director
CNAB Missouri - Murat Muratovic, President
Federation of Balkan American Associations - Mustafa Derahovic, Regional Director
Friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Elma Mujanovic, President
International Institute of St. Louis - Anna Crosslin, President
Islamic Community Center - Muhamed Hasic, Imam
KBSA 2000 OKBS Coordination St. Louis - Samir Halkic, Vice President
Niagara Foundation - Ali Durhan, Executive Director
St. Louis Bosnians Inc. - Akif Cogo, President
St. Louis Islamic Center - Alija Dzekic, President
St. Louis Mosaic Project - Betsy Cohen, Executive Director
St. Louis Regional Chamber - Joe Reagan, President
Turkish American Society of Missouri - Yucel Aktas, President
United Bosnian Association - Ertana Dzidzovic, Vice President
Union of Citizens of the Municipality of Prijedor - Edin Sehic, Treasurer |
