Remembering Alija Izetbegović: Architect of Bosnian Independence

Richard Holbrooke, a key figure in the Dayton Agreement, said that without Alija Izetbegović, Bosnia and Herzegovina would not exist today. Izetbegović was born on August 8, 1925, in Bosanski Šamac. He moved to Sarajevo two years later and spent most of his life there. He finished high school in Sarajevo. As a young man, he explored faith, social justice, and humanity's place in society. His ideas were shared in books like "The Islamic Declaration" and "Islam Between East and West".

These views led to conflict with the communist government. In 1983, Izetbegović and other Muslim intellectuals were imprisoned during the Sarajevo Process. His initial 14-year sentence was later shortened. He was released on November 25, 1988, after almost six years.

In May 1990, after his release, Izetbegović co-founded the Party of Democratic Action (SDA). The SDA aimed to promote freedom, democracy, human rights, and a market economy. Izetbegović became the party's president. Its founding document, largely his creation, defined democracy as rule by the people under fair laws.

The SDA won the first democratic elections on November 18, 1990. They secured 86 of 240 seats in the BiH Assembly. Izetbegović became President of the Presidency of BiH during Yugoslavia's crisis. He participated in meetings with other Yugoslav republican leaders, seeking to preserve the country. He and Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov proposed a new structure, but it lacked support.

Alija Izetbegović died on October 19, 2003, in Sarajevo. He was buried at the Kovači Martyrs' Cemetery. Over 100,000 people attended his funeral.

Many international figures honored his legacy. Richard Holbrooke reiterated Izetbegović's crucial role for BiH. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed deep sadness, describing Izetbegović as a man who shaped history with great honor and perseverance. Former Croatian President Stjepan Mesić noted Izetbegović's strong impact on BiH's events, highlighting his dedication and leadership during the war and in establishing BiH as an independent state.