Macedonians of Muslim faith are an integral part of Macedonian history, Macedonian society, and the broader Macedonian national story.<\/p>\n
They are not \u201cless Macedonian.\u201d
\nThey are not Macedonians with a footnote.
\nThey are not a category to be mentioned only when a political number is needed.<\/p>\n
They are Macedonians.<\/strong><\/p>\n And that is precisely why Leon Mersovski\u2019s position carries weight, because it comes from a man who openly speaks about his identity, his faith, and his affiliation with VMRO-DPMNE, without accepting anyone\u2019s right to place conditions on how Macedonian he is.<\/p>\n Particularly significant is his message that religion and nationality are not opposing identities. You can be Muslim by faith and Macedonian by nationality, just as you can be Orthodox, Catholic, atheist, or of another faith and still identify and consider yourself Macedonian. <\/p>\n That should not be a matter of doubt. That is why such messages should not be seen as a source of division, but rather as a call for greater Macedonian unity. Macedonia does not need Macedonians competing with one another over who is a \u201cgreater\u201d Macedonian. It does not need divisions based on religion. It does not need a form of patriotism that requires someone to give up a part of themselves to prove their love for their homeland. Macedonia needs people who will build it together. <\/p>\n Both Orthodox Christians and Muslims. From Skopje and from Debar. From the cities and from the villages. Those who stood on the front lines when times were difficult, and those who are taking responsibility for the future today. Macedonians of Muslim faith should not have to ask for permission to be Macedonian. They should know that they have their place, their dignity, and an inseparable belonging within the Macedonian national community. <\/p>\n Link to Facebook Leon Mersovski\u2019s Facebook post.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIt should be respected as a fundamental right to personal and national self-identification<\/p>\n
That is why supporting this message is not simply about supporting one individual. It is about supporting the principle that no one has the right to measure another person\u2019s Macedonian identity based on their faith. <\/p>\n
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