On Friday, October 17, 2025, the Opening Ceremony of the Symposium Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Alija Izetbegović was held at the Gazi Husrev Bey Library. The Symposium, a joint initiative of Erciyes University, the Alija Izetbegović Foundation, and the International University of Sarajevo (IUS), is dedicated to the life, thought, and enduring legacy of the first president of independent Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The honored guests of the Opening Ceremony were Dr. Hulusi Akar, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, and Mrs. Sabina Berberović, representative of the Alija Izetbegović Foundation.
Other esteemed guests included Dr. Murat Cahit Cıngı, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye; Mr. Refik Özen, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye; H.E. Emin Akseki, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Bosnia and Herzegovina; Mr. Ismet Kadić, Advisor to the Member of the BiH Presidency Dr. Denis Bećirović; Mr. Nezim Alagić, Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of FBiH; Prof. Dr. Yüksel Özgen, President of the Turkish Historical Society; Prof. Dr. Fatih Altun, Rector of Erciyes University; Mr. Hasan Topaloğlu, President of the Foundation for the Development of Education Sarajevo (SEDEF); Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, Rector of the International University of Sarajevo (IUS); and many other distinguished guests.
The event began with a speech by Mrs. Sabina Berberović, who expressed her gratitude to Erciyes University and IUS for organizing the event, as well as to the many institutions from Türkiye that supported this project. She stated: “Alija Izetbegović’s path was a struggle, and this is a remembrance of the values he fought for – freedom, justice, and tolerance. We must remember a man who never abandoned these ideals, even during the most difficult moments in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thirty years after Srebrenica and the Dayton Agreement, today's world is significantly more unstable and more dangerous. Now, interests dominate. A lasting peace must be achieved in the Middle East, and we hope that justice, tolerance, and peace will come to Gaza.”
Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, Rector of IUS, also greeted the attendees and welcomed everyone to the symposium. He emphasized that the goal of the event was to remember and reflect on the life and thought of Alija Izetbegović, saying: “He was a leader and a founder – and building is stronger than destroying. He was a man of knowledge and wisdom. IUS remembers Alija Izetbegović and his words. It is an honor to be part of this event because the late President left us a heritage of values.” He added that the ideas and principles of Alija Izetbegović continue to inspire young generations to uphold justice, freedom, and intellectual integrity in their personal and professional lives.
Prof. Dr. Fatih Altun, Rector of Erciyes University, expressed his gratitude to all the organizations that contributed to the realization of the event. He noted that the gathering marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alija Izetbegović and emphasized that Izetbegović had been more than just a leader of his time — not only an intellectual, but also a man who left a profound imprint on the world. He underlined that Izetbegović never abandoned his ideals, even in the most difficult periods, and that the heritage he left behind continues to benefit people from all walks of life. Prof. Altun added that Izetbegović was not only a leader but also a man of moral integrity, and remains one of the strongest symbols of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Prof. Dr. Yüksel Özgen, President of the Turkish Historical Society, emphasized the shared history and traditions between Bosnia and Türkiye. He highlighted that the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, had understood the true meaning of struggle, and that Alija Izetbegović represented a similar example of a leader who fought for justice, dignity, and freedom. He noted that Izetbegović was more than a historical or cultural figure, and stressed the importance of building a common future founded on these shared values.
Dr. Hulusi Akar, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, began his address with a song dear to him and many Turks, which speaks of their love for Bosnia. He thanked all who supported and organized the event, saying: “Alija Izetbegović’s light still shines. We remember him with pride because of everything he did. His legacy is immortal. He defended his ideals until the very end and remains one of the most important figures in history.”
Dr. Akar spoke about Bosnia’s history from the Yugoslav era to independence, reflecting on the challenges faced by Bosniaks in the 1990s: “History is not to fight or forget, but to learn from.”
He emphasized that Alija Izetbegović’s ideas are still alive and that the relations between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina remain of great importance. “Freedom and justice cannot be achieved by relying solely on the United Nations, NATO, or the European Union. They are important, but they cannot replace our determination. Cyprus, Bosnia, and now Gaza have shown this.”
At the end of the ceremony, certificates and tokens of appreciation were exchanged among the guests.
The event was also supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Sarajevo, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB).
