Dr. Mahmud Busatlija, a prominent economist in the capital of Serbia and of noble lineage, who was a Muslim, was baptized Orthodox Christian, according to Serbian sources, 500 years after his ancestors converted to Islam.
“I returned to the roots of my ancestors, 500 years ago, when they became Muslim in the Ottoman Empire. I do not think it strange, as I’m simply returning to where I belong”, said Busatlija, who is an expert on foreign investment in Serbia.
He is the progeny of Stanko Crnojevi? (1457–1528) and Kara Mahmud Bušatlija (died 1796). Ivan I Crnojevi?, Stanko’s father and the Serbian Orthodox ruler in Montenegro, was the founder of Cetinje Monastery. Stanko became Muslim when his father sent him to the Ottoman Sultan to become a vassal in 1485, and upon his conversion he took the name Skender.
Mahmud Busatlija returned to the Faith of his ancestors, the Serbian Orthodox Church, on February 15, 2014. His baptism took place in the Cathedral of Montenegro and he received the name Stanko.
“My godfather was Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral”, he said.
He also said that he is fond of the ideals of the French Revolution and the Paris Commune, ideas which he considers to be similar to that of Christianity – Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (Brotherhood).
Glad to see some of the inevitable occurring. The Muslim world is so ripe for this.
This is wonderful news!
I hope, now, that the people who will be responsible for our new brother’s spiritual
formation will be able to gently ;lead him away from his fascination with the “ideals
of the French Revolution.” The paramount ideal of the French Revolution was secularism, most dramatically demonstrated by the enthronement of the “goddess of reason” in the
Cathedral of Notre Dame, represented by a naked prostitute “enthroned” upon the Altar.
The Paris Commune and he French Revolution were defiantly secular humanist, adamant in heir rejection of God and ecstatic in depravity. Its “ideals,” promoted through a crazed and demonic festival of bloodshed, are hollow counterfeits of the Faith, and are well dispensed-with now that he has found the Real Thing.
Welcome home, new brother Stanko!
Glory to God! Reversing the moral rot of the Ottomans, one soul at a time. May all come to find the true peace and love that is found in Christ.
I have left islam too, got rid of my muslim name and returned to Orthodox Christian. The faith of my ancestors, before the Muslims invaders destoryed my nations history. Glory be to our loving Lord, Jesus Christ.
Actually, one cannot “convert” to Islam. One merely makes a genuine, heartfelt statement of acceptance, and is thereafter a Muslim. Conversion is an unfortunate creation of Western overly technical, legalistic thinking. For example, to convert to Catholicism, one must go through six months of study. Jesus didn’t put up such roadblocks to joining the new faith. The lengthy hassle of conversion is one reason Chistianity is declining, while Islam, which readily and immediately welcomes anyone who is interested, is the fasted growing religion in the U.S., and perhaps the world. I’m not writing this in support of Islam, but only to suggest that perhaps Christianity should rethink how restrictive it is to potential members. I don’t think they have the luxury anymore of being so exclusive.
Laura, Muslims talk of converting to Islam or death. I think one can talk of converting to Islam since that is the language used by those coercing others into it. While you are correct, Jesus did not have a catechumenate, he was already talking to Jews. However, at his command to build the Church, the Apostolic Church (learning from St. Paul’s troubles with the Corinthians) did institute a long period of inclusion, sometimes 2-3 years. It is not necessary today to be instructed for 2-3 years since we have so much available to us, but if being a Christian means anything, one cannot enter into it lightly or casually. If anything, Christians should be more restrictive, not less.