The love between a Muslim man and an Orthodox Christian woman survived wars, but not hatred. Following what the family claims were chilling threats, a desecrated family monument appeared at a cemetery in Sabac.
More than 50 years of love, togetherness, and understanding were contained within one family tomb at the Kamicko Cemetery in Sabac. Jasar, a Muslim, and Zorica, an Orthodox Christian, built their story on foundations that survived even the most difficult trials.
They went through the whirlwinds of war, preserved their marriage when many others were falling apart under the pressure of surnames and origins, proving that love knows no boundaries drawn by people, faith, or politics.
It was a love that could only be interrupted by Zorica’s long illness and, ultimately, her death less than two years ago. Jasar raised a monument to her just as they had lived—in the spirit of mutual respect.
Alongside his name and symbols, a cross was placed on the tomb, the symbol of his wife’s faith, which was never in dispute during their five-decade-long marriage. The fruit of their love are their children, who were left in disbelief after being met with the news that the monument had been desecrated—specifically, that the Christian symbol, the cross, had been removed from it.
The son of the deceased says with pain and disbelief that he could not have guessed such a thing was possible, especially not in Sabac, where divisions were never pronounced and where it was never a question of whether someone bows or crosses themselves, but rather what kind of person they were. On this occasion, humanity was absent. Not wishing to point fingers at anyone while the police investigation is ongoing, he highlights his suspicion that the incident is connected to threats his father received from an imam.
“Two weeks ago, he called my father, properly introduced himself, and said that the cross on the erected monument offended him, giving a deadline of two weeks for the cross to be removed or he would resolve it,” Igor Karadarevic points out, adding that such a gesture caused small material damage but great mental pain and, furthermore, causes unnecessary unrest and incites intolerance among those who until yesterday were good neighbors.
In consultation with priests of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the threat itself was reported to the police, and according to available information, M. S. gave a statement at the time in the capacity of a citizen.
Despite this, the Karadarevic family found the monument without the cross on Saturday, after which they again contacted the police, who established the facts and opened an investigation at the so-called Kamicko Cemetery, in the immediate vicinity of the Sabac mahala.
With the hope that justice will find its way, son Igor concludes that this monument was supposed to be the crown of a love that surpassed all prejudices and differences.
“My parents and their marriage were an example to many. I hoped that this monument would be the crown with symbols of their life together and that after a long and painful illness, my mother’s soul would find peace. Someone, out of malice, is not allowing that, repeatedly opening wounds and creating space for divisions where there never were any, and where Muslims were always equal, without prejudices and divisions,” says son Igor.
The cadastral plot on which the cemetery is located is owned by the city, and the family leased the spot for the family tomb several years ago. The Karadarevics emphasize that they will report the disputed situation not only to the police but also to the Islamic Community of Serbia, which, according to the sign displayed on the mosque, is the competent authority.
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Source: Kurir; Photo: Kurir / Privatna arhiva