''Alija Izetbegović - Wakif and Benefactor “

As part of the event "Days of the Waqfs in Bosnia and Herzegovina" and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alija Izetbegović, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, a panel discussion entitled "Alija Izetbegović - Wakif and Benefactor " was held in the Great Hall of the Gazi Husrev-Bey’s Library in Sarajevo. The focus was on the Waqf, which was founded in 1997, as a combination of generosity and wisdom, by the first President of the Presidency of the independent RBiH, Alija Izetbegović.

The panel moderator was Prof. Dr. Fahira Fejzić-Čengić, and the promoters were Edhem Bičakčić, Dr. Senaid Zajimović and Šahin Kerla.

In his introductory speech, Dr. Nedžad Grabus, envoy of the Reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community in BiH, Husein-ef. Kavazović, among other things, spoke about the role and importance of the waqf, emphasizing that the trust that the President the late Alija Izetbegović had in the Islamic Community had not been betrayed. The Waqf has been preserved and significantly expanded.

Edhem Bičakčić, President of the Islamic Community Assembly, said that the late Alija Izetbegović had a vision, recognizing knowledge as a key resource for the renewal and development of our country. By establishing Fund "Bošnjaci", as a special monetary waqf, he showed how an individual can leave a lasting legacy that goes beyond his life. Today, this Fund is developing and growing, given that it is managed according to the principles of a good host. Upbringing and education are the primary needs of our society - added Mr. Bičakčić.

Dr. Senaid Zajimović, Director of the Waqf Directorate, reminded those present that the Waqf Fund "Bošnjaci" has been a formal organization of the Islamic Community since 2001, and that its institutional framework guarantees transparency and stability. The late president was not only a statesman and intellectual. He was a man with a vision and believed that knowledge was salvation and a way out for Bosnia and Herzegovina - emphasized Mr. Zajimović.

Director of Fund "Bošnjaci" Šahin Kerla, with an appropriate presentation, emphasized that Fund "Bošnjaci" was founded in 1997, within the Party of Democratic Action, by the late Alija Izetbegović, the first President of the Presidency of the independent RBiH, with the aim of rehabilitating highly qualified personnel who died during the armed aggression against our country. The founding capital of the Fund was 5 million BAM, which the late Alija Izetbegović received, in his personal name, from the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In order to improve the work of the Fund and free it from any political or other connotations, on April 16, 2001, the late Alija Izetbegović endowed Fund "Bošnjaci", transferring the founding rights to the Waqf Directorate of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the obligation to manage the endowed property conscientiously, striving not to commit any wrongdoing in this business, and to use the income from the endowed property for the purpose of education and science.

In addition to the above, the Director of the Fund informed the attendees about the activities implemented so far, emphasizing that the awarding of scholarships to especially gifted students and assistance to sustainable return through assistance in the education of students from the returnee population are some of the most important activities of the Fund.

At the end of his address, the Director of the Fund emphasized that, in addition to the significant funds invested in education and science, Fund "Bošnjaci", as a special and only monetary endowment in our country, has been fully preserved and almost tripled in size.

The attendees were addressed via video by Dr. Nudžeim Selimović and Dr. Abdulah Jašarević, and in person by Prof. Dr. Amra Džaferović-Hasečić and Dr. Amina Karić, former scholarship holders of Fund "Bošnjaci", expressing special gratitude to the wakif the late Alija Izetbegović, as well as the management structure of the Fund, emphasizing the importance of helping young people in education and science.

During the moderation of Prof. Dr. Fahira Fejzić-Čengić emphasized with special emotion and inspiration the role and importance of the upbringing and education of young people in our country.

The panel discussion ended with a prayer and recitation of the Fatiha for all waqifs and benefactors, and special attention was paid to Alija Izetbegović, whose visionary work still leaves a strong mark today.