Sack of Sarajevo by Eugene of Savoy - 1697

While he is remembered for his glory in Vienna, Sarajevo remembers Prince Savoy as a barbarian—just as it will remember all other arsonists and criminals of the modern age. No historical absurdity can change that, not even the one where, during Austro-Hungarian rule, a barracks was built above Baščaršija in the shape of the letter E and named after the man who burned the city to the ground. 😃

Translation (English):
CHRISTMAS EVE, 1943
On Orthodox Christmas Eve, January 6, 1943, with an attack on the Bijelo Polje district, the Chetnik operation to annihilate the Bosniak population in Sandžak and Upper Podrinje began. The order from the Chetnik Supreme Command read:
"DESTROY ALL MUSLIM POPULATION!"
From January 6 to February 25, 1943, in the districts of Bijelo Polje, Pljevlja, Priboj, Foča, and Čajniče, at least 13,000 Bosniaks were killed. This was the largest crime ever committed against the Bosniaks.❤️

Non-Controversial Opinion:
One of the most mind-numbing things I hear from some Muslims in Bosnia and Muslims in the West in general, when talking to Christians, is the statement that Christians shouldn't celebrate Christmas because it's a pagan holiday and it goes against their own teachings. I stand there and think: You shouldn't celebrate Christmas because you shouldn't even be Christian—you should be Muslim. Who cares if they celebrate a pagan holiday? Their entire belief structure is shirk. I understand that this might not suit the taste of those who are all about coexistence, but guess what? Someone is going to Hell, and someone isn't. It's in their own interest to become Muslims. 😊

Smail Buljubašić was an imam (hodža) from Vrnogorac. When the war broke out (WW2), Buljubašić immediately asserted himself as pro-Partisan, but more importantly as anti-persecution of his Serb and antifascist neighbors who he saved on numerous occasions from the Ustashe auxiliaries. His good deeds were (unfortunately) not unnoticed. In 1943 the 369th Wehrmacht Infantry Regiment (Croat-composed) dragged out the imam from the mosque in which he was leading the prayer. With the help of local Ustashe , Smail Buljubašić was executed in cold blood in front of the mosque.

Painting was done by Aleksandar Lucijan in 1983, 40 years after the imam’s violent execution. 😃

😃 REMEMBERING A HERO: ŠEJH MEHMED EF. HAFIZOVIĆ 😃

Born in 1957 in Potočari, Srebrenica, Šejh Mehmed was raised in a community rich in faith and tradition. After completing his studies in theology and becoming a hafiz of the Qur’an, he served as an imam, guiding his community through both peace and peril. Known for his gentle demeanor and profound wisdom, he inspired countless individuals.

With the onset of aggression in Bosnia, Šejh Mehmed took on a new role, becoming a commander of the “Šejh Hasan Kaimija” unit, named after a revered Bosnian Sufi scholar. Despite his peaceful roots, he led his fighters with bravery and strategic insight. His tireless efforts earned him the prestigious "Zlatni Ljiljan," Bosnia’s highest military honor.

Tragically, on May 2, 1994, while ensuring the safety of his comrades by securing newly gained lines, Šejh Mehmed stepped on a mine and was martyred. His loss was felt deeply, not just as a leader but as a beloved friend, mentor, and father figure.

Even today, his teachings and sacrifices serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. His unwavering faith in Allah, his love for Bosnia, and his commitment to justice and freedom are lessons we must carry forward.

May Allah grant Šejh Mehmed ef. Hafizović the highest place in Jannah and may his legacy continue to inspire generations to come. Let us honor his memory by striving for a future built on unity.

Winter Solo Hiking | Winter Mountain Hiking | Jahorina 🇧🇦

Relaxing nine minute film by Ervinslens

Ćamil Avdić: The First Bosnian Imam in America ✊

Today, we honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Ćamil Avdić (1914–1979), a visionary leader, scholar, and the first Bosnian imam in the United States. Born in Plana, near Bileća, Avdić dedicated his life to the promotion of Islamic values, education, and the preservation of Bosniak identity. Through his tireless efforts, he became a symbol of perseverance and inspiration for Bosniaks and Muslims worldwide.

😃 A Life of Knowledge and Faith

Avdić’s remarkable journey spanned three continents and left a lasting impact on the Islamic and Bosniak communities:

Education: He graduated from the prestigious Gazi Husrev-Bey Madrasa in Sarajevo (1939), earned a degree at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, and completed a master’s in library sciences at the University of Chicago.

Multilingual Scholar: Fluent in Bosnian, Arabic, French, English, Turkish, and German, he used his knowledge to teach, write, and lead.

Teacher and Librarian: He taught Arabic and French in Cairo, worked as a bibliographer at the John Crerar Library in Chicago, and became a professor of library sciences at Northeastern Illinois University.

😃 Key Achievements and Legacy

Founding the Islamic Cultural Center (1976): Avdić was the driving force behind building the first mosque for Bosniaks and Muslims in Chicago, laying the foundation for a thriving Islamic Cultural Center.

Pioneering Islamic Literature: His publications, such as Survey of Islamic Doctrine (1979), and Bosnia in Historical Perspective (1973), addressed critical challenges facing Muslims in Bosnia and the diaspora.

Advancing Interfaith Dialogue: He advocated for open dialogue with Christians and Jews, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation.

Establishing Community Leadership: Avdić helped form the Council of Imams in North America, uniting Islamic leaders across the continent.

Inspiring Future Generations: His efforts to preserve Islamic and Bosniak heritage while integrating Muslims into American society continue to serve as a model for leadership.

😃 A Lasting Contribution to Humanity

Ćamil Avdić’s vision transcended his time. He saw the role of Muslims in the West not just as residents but as active participants in shaping society while preserving their faith and identity. Despite facing challenges and misunderstandings, he worked tirelessly to foster unity, knowledge, and moral values.

He remains a towering figure in our history and an enduring symbol of resilience, faith, and intellectual brilliance.

May his soul find eternal peace.
Rahmetullahi alejhi, rahmeten vasiah.

Bosnian SS volunteers of the newly composed 13. SS Gebirgs-Division (later dubbed “Handschar”) learn how to march and do the “goose step”. Training of the division in southern France, 1943. 😃

(This is a historical post, not a political one)

Adis Gradinović (8) was standing in the yard in Stari Vitez on October 13, 1993, holding the hands of his father Semiz, a member of the ARBiH in military uniform. Although the Croatian sniper had the opportunity to kill his father, he chose the boy, whom he killed with a direct shot to the heart.😃

Picturesque scenes from the Vlašić mountain this winter. On March 23, 1995, the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina liberated Mount Vlašić. The operation was carried out with significant sacrifices in extreme winter conditions, with snow almost 2 meters deep, temperatures 20 degrees below zero, and wind gusts of up to 100 km/h. 😃

My honest reaction to the Palestinian victory in Gaza, the ceasefire has been reached! May Allah protect our brothers and give them peace and may they all return to their homes.
🇧🇦❤🇵🇸

Blagaj Fort 📍 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bosnia and Herzegovina "writes" to our occupied government and "provides recommendations" for the upcoming fiscal reform. 🇺🇸🍽🇧🇦

The recommendations are entirely neoliberal in nature, intending to benefit only the private business sector, reduce the government's involvement in the economy, and leave the working class and average citizens of Bosnia facing an increasingly difficult life. Whether our traitors in power will be able to push through these reforms is unknown, but if they do, consider this a knife being thrust into the beating heart of our country. 😃