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Community Corner

The Community of Bosniaks Wraps Up Ramadan

(Updated) The Community of Bosniaks, also known as the Bosnian Community Center, celebrates the last day of Ramadan on August 29.

As Ramadan comes to a close, Muslims all across the world are ending their month-long period of sun-up to sun-down fasting. The Community of Bosniaks – previously in Snellville, but now in Lawrenceville – hosted more than 500 Muslims from different backgrounds and cultures this past Friday in honor of the Islamic holy month.  

Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, which changes yearly. This year, the month lasted from August 1 through August 29.  Followers of Islam fast not only from food, but also from unholy thoughts and actions.  It is a time to draw closer to God and purify themselves.  

The Community of Bosniaks hosted meals every night during the month, along with prayer and a time to gather together and talk.  

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“We begin the evening by breaking fast,” said Senada Maksumic, a translator and tour guide for Snellville Patch. Maksumic, originally from Herzegovina, works as a case-manager for and is active within the Bosnian community.  The call to prayer sounded as she spoke.  

“Then the men will go pray, then after that we have dinner," she said. "Then we have time to sit around and talk, until final prayer at 10.”  

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Imam Ismet Zejnelovic, the spiritual leader of the community, believes that they are in a unique position as white Muslims in Gwinnett County. 

“They don’t understand that we can be Muslims because we are white,” said Imam Zejnelovic.  “We are here on a special mission, to explain the beauty of Islam.  We are here for God’s will, to present to people that Muslims are normal people.  And, Islam the religion is like other religions… every religion should show peace.  We are here to try to present that.” 

The community center, which now has between 700-750 members, has its roots in.  In 1997, a group of Bosnian Muslims purchased a small home to serve as their community center and Masjid (prayer room).  In 2004, they purchased a new center on the south side of Snellville.  In June of this year, they purchased a new building in Lawrenceville, off of Grayson Highway.  The building in Snellville is now being rented by a group of Pakistanis.   

“They are peaceful people,” said Zejnelovic.  “Good people.” 

Three weeks ago, once the building was up to code, they moved into the new building.  It is still somewhat under construction, but serves their needs.      

“We are very happy here because it’s a very good location,” said Imam Zejnelovic.  “We have everything we need here.  Our intention is to bring all Bosnians here, but non-Bosnians too, to show them about our culture, our traditions, our religion.  We are very open to other people.”  

The majority of the Bosnian refugees that were relocated to Clarkston resettled in Gwinnett County. 

“I don’t know why!” laughed Imam Zejnelovic.  “Around 60 percent of Bosnians in the Atlanta area are in Gwinnett. There are around 13,000 of us, Muslim and non-Muslim.”      

Zejnelovic came to the United States in June 27, 1998.  He settled into the Brookwood area of Snellville with his family. His children both graduated from then from Emory University a few years later.  

Nail Cubro, elected president of the center, came to the U.S. in 1997. “I think we all remember the exact date we came here,” he said with a smile.  It was during a time of mass exodus from Bosnia in the midst of a brutal civil war. 

“We all came as refugees,” added Maksumic.  

The community has a good relationship with , who attended their Independence Day celebration a few years ago.  He presented the keys to the city to Washington’s Bosnian ambassador.  

“We need more communication,” said Zejnelovic about common misunderstandings between Muslims and Christians.  “Sometimes you feel sad if someone does not understand you or looks at you like you are kind of the enemy, the bad guy.  

"We have a [Christian] church here next to us, and I want to visit soon and say, hey, I’m such-and-such, and this is what we do.  We are very open-minded people.” 

During Sunday's Ramadan festivities, men and women lined the halls after prayers to feast on a buffet of homemade Bosnian soul food.  Women smiled as they filled their plates, talking in quick-clipped phrases to each other as children played tag and enjoyed themselves.  The women sat at one table while the men sat at another.

Maksumic said that the month-long fast is difficult, but manageable.  

"It's most difficult for coffee drinkers and smokers," she said.  

It is considered a special time for the Muslim community, a time for community and reflection.  Children stay up late as their families observe the 10 p.m. prayer time, an extra time of prayer reserved only for Ramadan. More than anything, it is a time to cleanse their soul and focus solely on God.  

The center will have a special night this coming Friday with live music and dancing, and the public is welcome to attend. For more information, visit their website.  

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