Medresa “Mehmed Fatih” marks 18 years: its students the greatest success, the school’s development a lasting duty
Awards for excellent results and exemplary conduct marked School Day, together with messages on the importance of education, the road to institutional recognition and plans for better teaching.
On 6 October, the Medresa “Mehmed Fatih” marked School Day and eighteen years of work by presenting awards to students who stood out for excellent results and exemplary conduct. The ceremony was an occasion to highlight the achievements of present and past generations, and also the school’s responsibility to keep developing an education that brings together knowledge, upbringing and the needs of contemporary society.
The School Day programme also included an exhibition of the Medresa students’ artwork, the “Games Without Frontiers”, in which the students took part, and the final of the football tournament.
The Reis of the Islamic Community in Montenegro, Rifat ef. Fejzić, expressed his satisfaction with the students’ achievements, stressing that one’s attitude towards education also shows in the everyday responsibility for school duties.
“Truly, my heart is full, having seen so many top students and so many excellent students in our medresa today,” said Fejzić.
Congratulating the award winners, he pointed to the importance of regular attendance, respect for school rules and responsible behaviour — values through which every student can contribute to the school community.
Speaking about the Medresa’s beginnings, the Reis thanked the teachers, the staff and the directors who took part in building and developing it: Behlul ef. Kanaći, Rahman ef. Kačar, Omer ef. Kajoshaj, Fuad ef. Čekić and the current director, Amer ef. Šukurica. He singled out the commitment of the first director, Behlul ef. Kanaći, in the demanding period when the school was being established.
The road to the recognition of the Medresa’s status was one of the main themes of the ceremony. Greeting the Reis and the guests, the Reis’s assistant Behlul ef. Kanaći spoke about the success of the Islamic Community and the efforts invested in obtaining the licence. He stressed that what has been achieved brings an additional obligation to work with even greater dedication in the period ahead.
The director of the Medresa, Amer ef. Šukurica, recalled that settling the school’s status and its place in Montenegro’s education system required long work, many discussions and perseverance. At the heart of these efforts, he said, was the students’ right to have their effort, knowledge and acquired competences recognised.
“That struggle taught us an important lesson: institutions are not built overnight, but through patient and responsible work,” said Šukurica.
He noted that the value of eighteen years of work is best seen in the generations who have passed through the Medresa, continued their education in Montenegro, the region and the world, and today contribute to society through their work.
“Our greatest success is not buildings, recognitions, awards or statistics. Our greatest success is our students,” the director said.
He thanked the Islamic Community, the parents, students, former students and waqifs for their support, and especially the teachers and staff who, besides teaching, gave young people advice, support and something to lean on while growing up.
Looking ahead, Šukurica set out the directions of the school’s development: improving teaching and digital competences, a stronger focus on the natural and social sciences, foreign languages and computer science, and better conditions for laboratory work, sport and cultural activities. Among the priorities he also named wider cooperation with educational institutions, with more opportunities for international projects, exchanges and competitions.
“We want a modern school that does not forget its values,” said Šukurica, adding that knowledge, upbringing and responsibility will remain the foundations of the Medresa’s work.