Alija Izetbegović: Architect of Independent Bosnia and Herzegovina

Alija Izetbegović, born August 8, 1925, in Bosanski Šamac, is widely seen as crucial for the modern existence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Richard Holbrooke, the Dayton Agreement architect, confirmed that without Izetbegović, Bosnia and Herzegovina might not exist. Izetbegović spent most of his life in Sarajevo, moving there at a young age.

He spent his youth exploring faith, social justice, and human rights. His books, "Islamska deklaracija" and "Islam između Istoka i Zapada," presented his ideas on Muslims and Islam's place in the world. These views brought him into conflict with communist authorities. In the 1983 "Sarajevo Process," he was imprisoned with other Muslim intellectuals. He was released on November 25, 1988, after nearly six years in jail.

In May 1990, Izetbegović co-founded the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) after his release. The SDA promoted freedom, democracy, equality, and human rights, supporting a market economy and social welfare. Izetbegović was elected the party's president.

The SDA won the first democratic elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 18, 1990. They secured 86 of 240 parliamentary seats. Three SDA candidates joined the seven-member Presidency. Izetbegović was elected President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during a major crisis in Yugoslavia. He tried to save Yugoslavia through meetings with other republic leaders. He and Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov proposed a reform plan, but it failed.

Alija Izetbegović died on October 19, 2003, in Sarajevo and was buried at Kovači cemetery. Over 100,000 people attended his funeral. World leaders honored his legacy. Richard Holbrooke restated Izetbegović's vital role. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised him as a deep thinker who shaped history and showed great perseverance. Croatian President Stjepan Mesić highlighted Izetbegović’s strong influence on BiH events and his statesmanship during the war and post-war period, ensuring BiH’s independence.