Mehmedović on Alija Izetbegović: He was a statesman and moralist who knew how to respond to challenges

The Bosniak Cultural Community in Belgium, in the city of Antwerp, organized a ceremony on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the death of the first President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović, titled “By the Great God we swear we will not be slaves,” writes the Bosnian news agency Patria.

The ceremony was named after Izetbegović's famous quote before the start of the Serbian aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992, which became a great motivation for patriots of Bosnia and Herzegovina to stand in defense of the country, even though they faced a far more militarily equipped and powerful enemy.

Those present also saw a film about the life and work of Izetbegović, and the representative in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šemsudin Mehmedović, also addressed the gathering.

- It is important to remember the life and work of Alija Izetbegović because he is a man who subordinated his life to the struggle for the freedom of Bosniaks, and through the building of a democratic society, for all others living in BiH. The breakup of the former Yugoslavia led to misfortune, most of all for Bosniaks, but even in such circumstances he knew how to position himself and be both a commander and a politician and a diplomat and a good moralist... but also a statesman who knew how to respond to the challenges of that moment.

Mehmedović also said that President Izetbegović was one of the few who renounced the throne, even though with his authority and wisdom he could have been a lifelong president.

- He did not allow that. Unfortunately, those who led both the SDA and the state until today were not an adequate replacement. About his life and work, it will certainly be possible to speak more realistically from a greater temporal distance... and also about whether he was a positive historical figure... regardless of all the attacks and misfortunes that accompanied him throughout his life – said Mehmedović.

FROM THE BIOGRAPHY

Alija Izetbegović was born in Bosanski Šamac on August 8, 1925. He was one of the most prominent Bosniak leaders of his time, and he is the founder of the Party of Democratic Action. He died on October 19, 2003.