Aziz Hasanović
Episode · #299
EKUMENA ETIKA U POSLOVANJU Aziz Hazanović
Guest Aziz HasanovićHosted by Augustin BačićMay 3, 2026
Aziz Hasanović
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
The idea of ethics in business often feels like a separate, aspirational layer, distinct from the daily mechanics of profit and loss. But for Mufti Aziz Hasanović, President of the Islamic Community in Croatia, ethical principles are not just a moral compass; they are a direct driver of economic opportunity and societal health. He discusses how ancient religious wisdom can inform modern commerce, from establishing a Halal Certification Center that opens new markets for Croatian companies, to confronting the systemic issues of exploitation and corruption. Hasanović offers a perspective rooted in faith and dialogue, revealing how a commitment to ethical conduct can create tangible value and foster a more just economy.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The Halal Certification Center, established in 2010, wasn't just a service for the Muslim community; it was designed to help the Croatian economy and elite tourism. With over 100 Croatian firms like Podravka, Koka, and Vindija now certified, and 44 countries requiring halal certification for imports, a niche religious standard can become a significant economic driver, redefining 'quality' for a broader international market.
02
Attempts to establish Sharia-compliant banking in Croatia, which does not recognize interest, faced a fundamental hurdle: existing banking laws. The challenge wasn't a lack of demand or concept, but the established financial system's reluctance to adapt its profit models and the regulatory framework's inertia. Real barriers to alternative financial models often lie not in market demand, but in the difficulty of shifting entrenched legal and industry structures.
03
The Prophet's saying, 'The worker's sweat should not dry on his brow before he is paid,' offers a precise ethical framework for labor relations that directly condemns exploitation and unpaid wages. This ancient wisdom, if applied, would address many contemporary business malpractices, demonstrating that foundational religious texts can provide actionable solutions to modern economic injustices.
04
The Islamic Community in Croatia comprises various nationalities—Bosniak, Croat Muslims, Albanian, Romani, Turkish, Arab—yet it unifies them not by national origin, but 'by the principle of faith.' In diverse societies, a shared belief system can be a stronger unifying force than ethnic or national ties, forging a cohesive community identity that transcends traditional demographic divides.
05
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Islamic Community adapted to restrictions by asking members to use masks, individual prayer mats, and prepare at home, rather than closing mosques entirely. As Hasanović puts it, 'better to have that than to have our mosques closed.' In times of crisis, a community's resilience is tested by its ability to adapt practices to preserve core functions, finding ways to continue rather than simply shutting down.
06
Hasanović's personal connection to Srebrenica highlights the profound pain of genocide denial, warning that 'the denial of genocide… opens space for it to happen again.' Unacknowledged historical atrocities create a dangerous precedent, implying that without confronting past wrongs, societies risk their recurrence.