Erdogan said that the life story of Alija Izetbegović is an “epic story of perseverance in faith and dignity even in the most difficult circumstances.”
“Rahmetli Alija took a place in history as a voice of conscience, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also in the entire oppressed world, as an unwavering fighter, a capable statesman and a wise man who illuminated our horizons,” Erdogan said in a message prepared for publication on the occasion of the commemorative gathering.
The Turkish president pointed out that Izetbegović’s philosophy, based on justice and morality, is “like a shining star in the sky of humanity that even today shows the direction to all who oppose injustice and oppression.”
“Alija was one of the most prominent Islamic thinkers of our time, who built bridges between faith and reason, tradition and modernity,” Erdogan said, recalling his famous saying: “We swear by the Great God that we will not be slaves,” which led Bosnia’s struggle for independence.
Erdogan also emphasized Izetbegović’s deep affection and trust for Turkey, noting that “he has an eternal place in the hearts of our people as an honorable leader of a brotherly nation.”
At the end of the message, the Turkish president added:
“We continue to cherish the memories of our togetherness and his legacy with love. May he have mercy and may his abode be Paradise.”
A festive concert was held in Sarajevo on Friday, during which visitors, with ovations and emotions, had the opportunity to listen to the symphonic poem “My flight to freedom” for the first time, a work by the composer and conductor Emir Mejremić, performed by the symphony orchestra.
The event was attended, among others, by the Turkish ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Emin Akseki, the son of the Turkish president, Bilal Erdogan, and the president of the Democratic Action Party, Bakir Izetbegović.
Alija Izetbegović, the first president of independent Bosnia and Herzegovina, was born on August 8, 1925 in Bosanski Šamac, and died on October 19, 2003 in Sarajevo. He is the author of a large number of journalistic works and studies and books: “Islam between East and West”, “Problems of Islamic Revival” and “Islamic Declaration”.
These books have been translated into several languages and published in several countries. In 1999, he published the book “My Escape to Freedom”, and in 2000 the book “Memories” (autobiographical record). The collected works of Alija Izetbegović in ten volumes were published in 2004.
(Vijesti.ba / Fena)
