The Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina will elect a new reis-ul-ulema in Sarajevo, with three prominent candidates competing to succeed the outgoing leader Husein ef. Kavazović. The Electoral Body is scheduled to convene at 10 a.m. in the Gazi Husrev-beg Library, where members will cast secret ballots to choose the 14th head of the country's Islamic Community.
The three confirmed candidates are Dr. Salem ef. Dedović, the mufti of Mostar; Prof. Dr. Nedžad ef. Grabus, the mufti of Sarajevo; and hafiz Prof. Dr. Mensur ef. Malkić, director of the Administration for Religious Affairs of the Rijaset of the Islamic Community. Their candidacies were confirmed by the Assembly of the Islamic Community at a session held on September 5, after being registered in 18 electoral areas across Bosnia and Herzegovina, the homeland countries, and the diaspora.
The Electoral Body comprises members of the Assembly of the Islamic Community, chief imams, heads of majlis, and directors of Islamic Community institutions. Voting will be secret, and the area where the ballot is conducted will be separated from the section reserved for media. Before the session begins, Edhem Bičakčić, president of the Assembly of the Islamic Community, is expected to address those present.
All three candidates previously presented their work programs for the 2026–2033 mandate, focusing on strengthening the institutions of the Islamic Community, improving the position of imams, education, and work with young people. The election comes as the current reis-ul-ulema, Husein ef. Kavazović, completes his second consecutive term. First elected in 2012 while serving as mufti of Tuzla, Kavazović is not eligible to run again, as the Constitution of the Islamic Community limits the same person to a maximum of two consecutive terms in the office.
After voting concludes and results are confirmed, representatives of the Islamic Community are expected to address the media, at which point the name of the new reis-ul-ulema will be announced. The outcome will shape the leadership of the Islamic Community for the coming years, with the new head set to guide its institutions, clergy, and educational efforts through a period of evolving social and religious challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond.