Promoting safer and stronger faith communities in Montenegro was the focus of a conference organised by the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the European Jewish Congress (EJC) Security and Crisis Centre (SACC) and the Jewish Community of Montenegro.

The event was held on 4 March in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Representatives of Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities gathered to speak about threats to the safety of their communities. The conference discussed how faith communities can contribute their experience and expertise in safeguarding holy sites and places in Montenegro.

Nina Ofner Bokan, President of the Jewish Community of Montenegro, Dany Choueka, Head of Crisis Management SACC by EJC and Dr Elizabeta Kitanović, CEC Executive Secretary, welcomed the participants.

Security experts addressing the conference were Prof. Uriya Shavit and Dany Choueka. Among the religious representatives were Rifat ef. Fejzić, Reis of the Islamic Community of Montenegro, Metodije, diocesan bishop of Budimlja-Nikšić, Archbishop Igor Balaban, The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, Fr Janez Mirtek, Rector and Parish Priest, Roman Catholic Church and Luciano Moshe Prelević, Chief Rabbi of Montenegro.

The conference was attended by the members of the Jewish Community in Montenegro (JCMNE), Islamic Community, Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral Podgorica as well as the representative of the Police Directorate of Montenegro.