Islamic council elects new grandmufti for Bosnia-Herzegovina

SARAJEVO (AA) - September 24, 2012 - An Islamic council governing religious affairs in Bosnia-Herzegovina has elected Husein Kavazovic as the country's new Reis-ul Ulema, or grandmufti.

Kavazovic, the mufti of the northeast Tuzla city, was elected by the votes of 240 members of the 374-seat Islamic Union Council in Sunday'selection at the Ghazi Husrev Bey Library in capital Sarajevo.

In the election, candidates Nusrat Abdibegovic from Travnik and Husein Smayicfrom Sarajevo got 69 and 45 votes, respectively.

"I am awarethat a hugeresponsibility is placed on my shoulders. I am praying to God to help me bearth is task honorably. We will continue working together," said Kavazovic who is set to replace Mustafa Ceric as the highest Islamic authority of Bosnia-Herzegovina's Muslim community.      

48-year-old Kavazovic studied Islamic law, or sharia, at the Cairo-basedAl-Azhar University between 1985 and 1990. He was selectedmufti of Tuzla in 1993. 

(Anadolu Agency)