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Category: Bosnia-Herzegovina

  • Bosnia-Herzegovina/Islam-Hajj: Bosnian Walks to Makkah for Hajj

    Bosnia-Herzegovina/Islam-Hajj: Bosnian Walks to Makkah for Hajj

    ISTANBUL, 24 Rabi al-Thani/17 March (IINA)-Fulfilling one of Islam’s main pillars, a Bosnian man has embarked on the life-time spiritual journey of hajj, preparing himself to cross thousands of miles on foot, The Muslim Village portal reported recently.

    “To be honest, before I started on this trip, everybody was frightened for me, asking how will I, as a Muslim, be able to travel though Christian countries like Serbia and Bulgaria,” 47-year-old Senad Hadzic said.

    Aspiring to perform hajj, which falls at the end of October, Hadzic first hit the road for his lengthy trip from his hometown in northern Bosnia on December 2011.

    The distance is about 3,600 miles from Bosnia to Makkah and he covers between 12 to 20 miles a day.

    In his back bag, he carries his copy of the holy Qur’an wrapped in plastic to protect it from weather elements.

    He also carries a bible, maps and flags of the six countries he plans to cross. Cutting 600 miles so far, the journey has not been without problems.

    In Istanbul for example, he was stuck for 20 days, trying to get permission to walk across the Bosphorus Bridge connecting Europe to Asia, which is open only to vehicles.

    At the end, he decided to resume his trip towards Makkah though the Syrian lands where he will wave a Syrian flag with the word “victory” written on it.

    “I’ll tell you, this trip has had millions of problems,” Hadzic says.

    “I’ll explain it to you like this: God willing, I’m going to enter Asia today, and then Syria. And I’m not afraid of a tank or a bullet, only God. And then when I get to Makkah I will say a prayer for all of us.”

    Millions of Muslims from around the world pour into Makkah every year to perform hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.

    Hajj consists of several ceremonies, which are meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family.

    Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can financially afford the trip must perform hajj at least once in a lifetime.

    Walking through different countries, Hadzic said he experienced the kindness of many people.

    “An old Turkish wise man appeared and when he saw that I came from Bosnia to Istanbul on two feet, he offered me the money to sit on an airplane and go directly to Makkah for the Hajj,” Hadzic said.

    “But I rejected this.”

    Traveling with very little money, Hadzic says he’s depended on the kindness of strangers for much of the lengthy road.

    “In Serbia, people came out on the street and gave me a hat, or some socks,” Hadzic says.

    “In one case, a professor in Serbia invited me to stay in his house. This Serbian professor, who was a Christian, told me that I was the first Muslim who had stepped in his house in his life. It was a great honor for me.”

    Hadzic claimed he must travel by foot because God told him to in a dream, seeing this journey as a benefit for himself and everyone he meets.

    “By this act, I am proving that everything I do is for the love of God,” Hadzic says.

    “For all the riches in the world, I would never stop what I am doing.”

    He’s not even half way there yet but Hadzic has already learned a lot.

    “The point, my friend, is learning the meaning of ‘thank you’. The poor people who live in the countryside love God and support me with generosity,” Hadzic says.

    “The rich people in the cities love their ATMs.”

    AH/IINA

    via Bosnia-Herzegovina/Islam-Hajj: Bosnian Walks to Makkah for Hajj.

  • Turkey may withdraw military forces from Bosnia

    Turkey may withdraw military forces from Bosnia

    Denmark has taken over the term-presidency of the European Union for a 6-month period. The Danish Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen said that “the European Cohesion policy was a major and important subject for the Danish presidency”.

    The Danish Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen told a press conference in Brussels that Denmark has taken over the most difficult term-presidency of the EU so far, due to the ongoing effects of the global economic crisis.

    He said the European cohesion policy in terms of economic growth is among their priorities.

    Meanwhile, Denmark, which is not participating in the pillar of the EU Security and Defense Policy, will allow South Cyprus, which will take over the next term-presidency as from July 2012, to undertake duties arising from the pillar in advance.

    The scope of authority of the Greek Cypriot Administration will include EU peace forces based in Bosnia, where motherland Turkey, as a NATO member, also has its troops deployed.

    Turkey is now considering to withdraw its military force from the region or to keep the number to minimum.

  • More Turkish tourists attracted by Bosnia’s charming beauty

    More Turkish tourists attracted by Bosnia’s charming beauty

    An increasingly large number of tourists from Turkey are visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, a small, heart-shaped land in Eastern Europe located on the western Balkan Peninsula, which has long-been an attraction for international tourists with its natural beauties and treasures and glorious history as a country that has been home to many civilizations and cultures throughout history.

    Tourists walk through the center of the old town of Mostar in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city of Mostar, with its old town and bridge originally built under the Ottoman Empire, attracts more and more Turkish tourists.
    Tourists walk through the center of the old town of Mostar in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city of Mostar, with its old town and bridge originally built under the Ottoman Empire, attracts more and more Turkish tourists.

    Bearing the scars of a war that lasted four years and ended in 1995, Bosnia started a process of rebuilding its cities and awakening its citizens from the tragic chapter in the county’s history. After conflict and numerous rulers, Bosnia emerged as a country marked by different cultures and religions, which remains evident even today.

    The Ottoman traces in Bosnian history can be seen all over, which is an attraction for the rising number of Turkish tourists, who represent 6.6 percent of the total number of international arrivals coming into Bosnia and Herzegovina annually.

    Last year the Institute for Tourism in Zagreb conducted a study concerning the spending behavior of tourists in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It showed that 41 percent of tourists from Turkey came to Sarajevo for cultural and heritage tourism. Sarajevo is a city rich in historically significant traits. Walking down the old street of Ferhadija and towards the newly renovated BBI center, a shopping mall in the city, there are evident remains of many different civilizations.

    Starting from Bascarsija, the Sebilj and the famous Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque, the Ottoman spirit remains within the walls of these ancient structures, which are still preserved today. Passing the cathedral and the eternal flame, Austro-Hungarian architecture and scenic beauty adorn the streets. Finally, a contemporary monument dedicated to the children who lost their lives in the Bosnian war is located in the park that hosts a fountain.

    Elsewhere across Bosnia and Herzegovina, ruins of castles and towers are spread out throughout numerous cities such as Zenica, Travnik and Maglaj. Another major attraction is the country’s many rivers. Its abundance of fast flowing, clear, cool waters make for an ideal vacation spot for adrenalin-infused activities. Rivers such as the Neretva and the Buna are hosts to some of Europe’s most challenging white water rafting. Currently, the top destinations for tourists pouring in from Turkey are Mostar, Travnik, Visegrad, Bihac, Stolac, Banja Luka, Sarajevo and Pocitelj. Last year Fidan Tours Travel Agency bought and restored the tekke, a dervish lodge, located on the Buna River spring near Blagaj. The natural and architectural ensemble has been preserved and is now open to tourists and visitors to put on their list of activities and things to see when in Bosnia.

    According to Fidan Tours, rafting is one of the main activity attractions for Turks. Other outdoor activities include mountain climbing and hiking.

    Bosnia and Herzegovina’s numerous mountains and ski resorts offer Olympic quality slopes for winter sports. After all, Sarajevo is remembered as the host of the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. The region has a good consistent amount of snowfall during the winter months, and Sarajevo’s Mount Bjelasnica and Jahorina have a long history of tourists visiting from around the world.

    Turkish people also prefer Bosnia and Herzegovina because of its familiar culture and friendly people. Described as warm, hospitable and lively, they act much like family towards guests and visitors. Data from the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat) show that the number of Turkish tourists visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina rose by 30 percent in 2010 over the previous year. The recent boom in Turkey’s economy has also contributed to tourism outside the country. Even through the global financial crisis, not a single Turkish bank sunk. The country is undergoing large economic development as one of the world’s fastest-growing emerging markets, and many citizens are taking capitalizing on it by traveling.

    This is a major boost to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s feeble economy, and while many media outlets have written of the small country’s attraction, its government has not shown any significant support to the field of tourism. Instead, much of the country’s future in tourism lies in the hands of travel agencies and tourism organizations eager to present Bosnia and Herzegovina’s charm to the rest of the world.

     

  • Bosnian musical ensemble celebrates İstanbul’s conquest

    Bosnian musical ensemble celebrates İstanbul’s conquest

    The choir’s founder and arts director, Mehmet Bajraktarevic, said he was very proud to be in İstanbul for such an important occasion.

    bosna koro1

    The Sultan Mehmed Fatih Ensemble, a Sarajevo-based choir, was at İstanbul’s historic Aya İrini Museum on May 29 to mark the 558th anniversary of the conquest of İstanbul by the Ottomans in 1453, marking the end of the Byzantine era. The choir performed a number of İlahis, or Muslim hymns, during the concert, which was organized by Turkey’s state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT).

    The choir’s founder and arts director, Mehmet Bajraktarevic, said he was very proud to be in İstanbul for such an important occasion. “During my 35-year career, I’ve directed many concerts throughout Europe, but this is the most significant task that I have been given. I am honored that Sultan Mehmed Fatih was chosen to perform at Aya İrini on such an important day in history. This is by far the ‘trophy of my career’,” he said, adding that he was delighted to have been invited to perform at Aya İrini by TRT.

    The performance at Aya İrini marked Sultan Mehmed Fatih’s ninth appearance in Turkey in seven years. “We are always excited to perform in Turkey. We are respected here, and our talent is recognized. While in our own country, Bosnia, people are not interested in our choir, or our İlahis. It saddens me, but it is a harsh reality,” Bajraktarevic said ruefully.

    The choir director also shared information on the background of the choir. Formed in 2004, the ensemble is made up of nine pedagogues and 100 vocalists of varying age groups. “Sultan Mehmed Fatih has two generations of vocalists. We even have a mother and a daughter singing together,” Bajraktarevic said.

    The choir was invited to perform on the anniversary of İstanbul’s conquest, after the general director of TRT, İbrahim Şahin, discovered the ensemble at a concert during a random visit to Bosnia. The ensemble is made up of different choirs from Bosnia and Turkey such as the Choir Dzulistan from Novi Pazar, Serbia. The ensemble’s popular repertoire consists of songs in several different languages, including Persian, Turkish, Bosnian and Arabic, with a unique blend of Western and Balkan influences and traditions.

    Cihan news agency

    via Bosnian musical ensemble celebrates İstanbul’s conquest | Art & Culture | World Bulletin.

  • While you were watching Egypt, Balkans are like a bomb ready to explode

    While you were watching Egypt, Balkans are like a bomb ready to explode

    SHARP-EYED observers have noted that some of the protestors that brought down Egypt’s president used the clenched-fist logo of  Otpor, the well-organised, foreign-financed civic resistance movement that helped topple Slobodan Milosevic in 2000. Parts of the Serbian press, notes Florian Bieber, an academic who works on Balkan affairs, have claimed that former Otpor activists helped train some of the opposition groups.

    balkans

    With the world’s attention on the Arab world, the political instability gripping much of the western Balkans has largely been ignored. Yet so serious is the unrest here—including mass demonstrations in Belgrade, Tirana and Skopje—that one diplomat told me his country’s foreign ministry had asked him if he thought that Egypt-style revolution might sweep northwards into the Balkans. (His answer was an emphatic “no”.) Here is a round-up of recent developments:

    Kosovo held an election on December 12th, but still has no government. Following allegations of “industrial-scale” fraud, re-runs had to be held. Until an apparent breakthrough yesterday, the country’s politicians had been unable to secure the basic outlines of a deal which would permit the formation of a government. Now, however, a faction within the Democratic Party of Kosovo of Hashim Thaci, the acting prime minister, has been forced to drop its insistence that its man, Jakup Krasniqi, the acting president, be given the job formally.

    Behgjet Pacolli, a tycoon, now looks set to become president. In exchange his party, the New Kosovo Alliance, will enter into coalition with Mr Thaci. Mr Pacolli is married to a Russian, which, given Moscow’s refusal to recognise Kosovo’s independence, leaves some Kosovars appalled.

    Two years after independence, Mr Thaci has never been so weak politically. He has been weakened by a row with Fatmir Limaj, the outgoing minister of transport, who enjoys much support in the party. Internationally, his standing has been shredded by a recent Council of Europe report making all sorts of lurid allegations against him. EULEX, the EU’s police mission in Kosovo, is now investigating. Partly as a consequence Kosovo’s European integration process has failed to get off the ground. Five of the EU’s 27 members do not recognise Kosovo.

    The situation in Macedonia is little better. Nikola Gruevski, the prime minister, has set off for Washington seeking support for his attempts to speed EU and NATO integration, but he may get his ear chewed off when he arrives. Solving the almost 20-year-old name dispute with Greece appears less of a priority in Skopje than ever. Construction of a giant  plinth that will support a statue of Alexander the Great is proceeding briskly, guaranteeing fresh outrage in Greece.

    The Social Democratic opposition has pulled out of parliament, and Macedonia is gripped by the saga of A1 Television, whose bank accounts have been frozen for a second time by the courts. Mr Gruevski’s opponents say that the government is trying to muzzle the last bastion of free speech in the country. Nonsense, claim government supporters. The courts are simply clamping down on tax evasion. In fact, the two arguments do not contradict each other. The smart money is on an early election in June.

    Meanwhile a small group of Albanians and Macedonians fought a pitched battle in Skopje castle on February 13th, where the government has begun building what it says is a museum, in the shape of a church. The problem is that the castle is in an Albanian, and hence Muslim, part of town. When the Albanians protested, saying that the structure was being built over an ancient Illyrian site,  Pasko Kuzman, the chief archaeologist, said construction would stop. But builders went in at night to continue their work, which led the Albanians to try and dismantle the structure. And so on, and so on.

    Over in Albania the prime minister, Sali Berisha, has accused the opposition of staging a coup, following a demonstration on January 21st that went horribly wrong when Republican Guards allegedly fired on opposition supporters, killing four. The demonstration sprang from charges by the opposition, led by Edi Rama, the Socialist mayor of Tirana, that Mr Berisha was returned to power in June 2009 by fraudulent elections. Unlike Macedonia, Albania is a member of NATO, but its EU integration path has effectively stalled.*

    The Serbian government has been holed and is taking on water—but has not sunk yet. Mladjan Dinkic, head of the G17 Plus party and Serbia’s deputy prime minister, had been openly criticising his governmental colleagues from President Boris Tadic’s Democratic Party. On February 14th Mirko Cvetkovic, the prime minister, moved to sack him. Mr Dinkic resigned today but stopped short of pulling his party out of the government.

    How long the Serbian government can limp on like this is anyone’s guess. Tomislav Nikolic, leader of the opposition Serbian Progressive Party, has said that unless new elections are called before April 5th he will lead more protests in Belgrade. Watch this space.

    Last but not least, Bosnia and Hercegovina. Elections there were held on October 3rd, but there is still no government at state level. No surprise there. Progress on anything, let alone EU integration, has been stalled in Bosnia since 2006 in the wake of the failure of the so-called “April Package” of constitutional reforms. Al Jazeera recently announced plans for a Balkans channel, based in Sarajevo and broadcasting in what it delicately calls “the regional language”. Given the station’s role as the cheerleader of revolt in Tunisia and Egypt, one can understand diplomats’ concerns.

    Global Agenda

  • Srebrenica survivors hail life sentences

    Srebrenica survivors hail life sentences

    SURVIVORS of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre say the life sentences handed down by the UN court against two Bosnian Serbs found guilty of genocide were crucial for Bosnia’s future.

    “We are satisfied that they have been jailed for life for genocide,” Zumra Sehomerovic of the Mothers of Srebrenica, an association of massacre survivors, told AFP.

    She said the ruling was essential to survivors of the massacre because, “in Bosnia the Srebrenica genocide has been denied.”

    Many Bosnian Serbs including leading politicians have sought to minimise the killing of some 8000 Muslim men and boys, after Bosnian Serb forces overran the eastern town on July 11, 1995, and deny that it constituted a genocide.

    “The crimes committed in Srebrenica have to be punished for (Bosnia’s) future and co-existence,” between its ethnic communities, Ms Sehomerovic added.

    The two genocide sentences prove that the massacre was systematically organised, the head of an association of Bosnia’s wartime detainees was quoted as saying by FENA news agency.

    “This once again confirms that a genocide has really occurred in Srebrenica, the worst crime on European soil since World War II,” Murat Tahirovic said.

    The Hague-based UN court earlier sentenced Bosnian Serb officers Vujadin Popovic, 53, and Ljubisa Beara, 70 to life imprisonment.

    The court ruled that the men played a leading role in the massacre committed by Bosnian Serb forces in the final stages of Bosnia’s 1992-1995 war.

    But victims’ relatives complained that the sentences were too mild for the five other defendants in the case.

    The four military officers and a police official, found guilty of related offences, received jail terms of between five and 35 years.

    “We cannot be satisfied completely since justice has been only partially served,” said Hajra Catic, the head of the Women of Srebrenica association.

    “We feel a bit bitter because of these rulings since we know that they (the convicts) took part in the crime,” said Ms Catic, who lost her husband and three sons in the massacre.

    Ms Sehomerovic’s husband was also among those killed and his remains were laid to rest last year after being recovered from several mass graves.

    So far more than 6400 victims exhumed from various mass graves around the town have been identified by DNA analysis.

    Meanwhile, Bosnian Serbs slammed the verdicts, accusing the International Criminal tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) of bias against ethnic Serbs.

    “It’s shameful! Why are the crimes committed by Muslims are not being punished?” Sreten, a 24-year-old student from the northern town of Banja Luka, told AFP.

    “I don’t understand why Srebrenica is being underlined as if other war crimes did not happen,” said 67-year-old pensioner Ivana.

    The Srebrenica massacre is the only episode of Bosnia’s war to have been classed as genocide by two international courts.

    , June 11, 2010