By forgetting Spaho and Busuladžić, Bosniaks are destroying themselves

Admir Mulaosmanović, a Bosnian historian, warned in an interview with the BH news agency Patria (NAP) that it is shameful that Bosniaks as a nation do not adequately commemorate the anniversary of the death of two intellectuals, Mehmed Spaho and Mustafa Busuladžić. Both Spaho and Busuladžić died on this day, and both have great significance in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially for Bosniaks.

Spaho was a Bosniak politician and leader of the Yugoslav Muslim Organization (JMO), the first Bosniak in the Government of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

Busuladžić was a writer, scientist, and one of the most prominent Bosniak intellectuals in the interwar period. Spaho died in Belgrade in 1939 under unclear circumstances, while Busuladžić was executed by the communist regime in 1945 behind the railway station in the Sarajevo neighborhood of Velešići. However, both left an indelible mark on Bosniak history.

- Their attitude towards personalities and the past is very symptomatic for Bosniaks. And, of course, it is interesting that nothing is said about Mehmed Spaho on this day, and in my opinion, it is even more symptomatic that nothing is said about Mustafa Busuladžić – Mulaosmanović told Patria.

Regarding Spaho, he notes, there are still studies and a certain societal influence concerning Spaho's character and work, but Busuladžić himself is still considered a controversial figure who should not be talked about much.

The commemoration of Busuladžić is limited to a few associations in Sarajevo that mention him occasionally in one way or another.

Mulaosmanović says that the Bosniak attitude towards their own history is extremely negative. He attributes the cause of this situation to Bosniak immaturity, the lack of institutions, cultural, political, and educational ones, and a general lethargy regarding this topic.

- We cannot blame scientific institutions if politics does not properly value these pioneers. It is illusory to look outside ourselves for someone to do us harm. Of course, there are interferences, but if you are not clear with yourself, then those from the outside do not need to try hard to bring you down – says Mulaosmanović.