Speaker discusses Bosnian struggles

Concluding Islam Awareness Week's four days of cultural festivities, more than 30 students, faculty and community members gathered in Houston Hall Thursday night to hear a lecture by Saffet Catovic, head of the Bosnian Mission in New York. Catovic, who first became involved in the Bosnian freedom movement in 1990, discussed the issues that Bosnia faces in rebuilding itself after the war. Catovic's father was born in Herzegovena and migrated to the United States at the beginning of World War II. Catovic was born in the United States, but his relatives continue to reside in Yugoslavia. In 1990, Catovic became involved in freedom issues concerning the Eastern bloc nations. Once those nations were liberated from Communist rule, religious groups began to use their new freedoms to organize political parties. Catovic said he helped the citizens form the parties and began to work with several expatriates, urging them to support the new freedom movements. In 1992, a war began in Herzegovena, altering Catovic's efforts. His focus shifted to Bosnian humanitarian issues. In September of 1992, Catovic left his job as budget director in a New York City hospital to give his full attention to the Bosnian effort. From 1993 until the present, Catovic has been the counselor for Bosnia in the United Nations, otherwise known as the "second deputy ambassador." Catovic explained that he hopes to "dispel several misconceptions and encourage people to help work to alleviate the pain and suffering of [his] people in Bosnia." He added that various other universities have taken interest in the Bosnian situation and have even developed classes discussing it. He said he hopes the University will take such an interest and advocate "Bosnology" to those students who are interested. "Some students may take more of an interest in the situation," and continue supporting the struggle, he said. Islam Awareness Week, which began last Monday, offered a host of different activities honoring the Islamic culture. The event was co-sponsored by the Muslim Students Association, Pakistan Society, Penn Arab Society, Penn Muslim Women's Forum and the Turkish Students Association. The purpose of the week was to increase awareness of Islam at the University and throughout the world, to correct misconceptions and stereotypes.