Reis-ul-Ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) Mustafa Ceric and Chief Mufti of the Islamic Community in Serbia Muamer Zukorlic called on Bosniaks in Montenegro and Kosovo-Metohija on Monday to gather around their nation, religion and language during the forthcoming census of population in the region.

Through letters and video clips, Ceric and Zukorlic prompted Bosniaks in Montenegro and Kosovo to claim Bosniak as their nationality, Islam as their religion and Bosniak as their language.

The lack of the national country which would protect its Bosniak people just like other European countries are doing, in an environment marked by equal possibilities for preservation of one's own identity and affirmation of the spiritual, moral and other values of tradition and civilisation, makes it mandatory for all Bosniaks to gather around their nation, religion and language, the letter states.

According to the note, the census which is conducted in Montenegro in early April is a historical and perhaps the last chance for the several years' long injustice, embodied in the denial of national and linguistic identity, to be lifted from this part of Bosniaks in a civilised manner and in an environment of free speech.

Serbia was supposed to conduct a census of its population in April as well, but it will be postponed until autumn, while the census in Kosovo-Metohija, scheduled to take place from April 1 to 15, could also be put off until autumn.