Riyasat: A reception for female ambassadors and women in diplomacy

On February 5, 2026, a reception for female ambassadors and women in diplomacy was held at the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina under the title “Shared Histories, Shared Futures: Women in Dialogue on Coexistence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

The main guests were Rahela Džidić, the newly elected president of the Jewish Community of Sarajevo, and Arnhild Spence, Resident Coordinator of UN Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meeting and discussion were dedicated to Jewish-Muslim solidarity and the broader experience of multireligious life in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Dževada Garić, Head of the Department for International Cooperation and the Bosniak Diaspora within the Directorate for External Affairs and Diaspora of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized the importance of the gathering and the symbolism of the venue:
“It is a great honor for me to host female ambassadors and women in diplomacy today at the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This reception is dedicated to the richness of diversity that Bosnia and Herzegovina embodies, as well as to the long tradition of shared life, and the interweaving of cultures, religions, and identities that form the foundation of our society.” She highlighted that Bosnia and Herzegovina holds a special place on the civilizational map of the world:
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is a space of encounter—not only geographical, but also civilizational. For this very reason, we consider it extremely important that women in diplomacy, through their own experiences and testimonies, convey this positive and often overlooked image of our country. Their voice carries particular weight, as it speaks of dialogue, understanding, and peace from a perspective of responsibility and empathy.”

The importance of interreligious dialogue and the role of women was also addressed by Arnhild Spence, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who emphasized the significance of the meeting and the partnerships built through such initiatives: “This event is special because it brings together women of different faiths—an extremely important group that promotes unity, coexistence, and tolerance in all communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I consider interreligious coexistence in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be of great importance, especially given the richness of its diverse religious traditions,” Spence stated, adding that the United Nations strongly supports such partnerships.

In her address, Rahela Džidić, President of the Jewish Community of Sarajevo, pointed to the responsibility of religious communities in transmitting the values of peace and coexistence: “The task of all of us working within religious communities is to spread the message of peace, tolerance, and coexistence. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we truly have a long tradition of shared life. We do not need to learn it anew, but we must find ways to pass it on to new generations.”

The organizers emphasized that such gatherings contribute to strengthening mutual trust and understanding and provide an opportunity to present the true image of Bosnia and Herzegovina—as a country rich in cultural and spiritual diversity—beyond its borders. It was also stated that the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains permanently committed to nurturing a culture of dialogue and a shared future.