Özgür Özel commemorated Alija Izetbegović: He was one of the rare leaders who could combine thought with politics, faith with justice.

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel commemorated the first president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović, on the 22nd anniversary of his death.

Özel used the following expressions in his social media post:

"'...And when it's all over, what we will remember is not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.'

Alija Izetbegović was one of those rare leaders who could unite thought and politics, faith and justice. He left his mark with his dedicated struggle for human dignity and the ideal of peace during some of history's darkest periods.

I commemorate him with respect and mercy on the 22nd anniversary of his death. May his soul rest in peace.

“…And when all is said and done, what we will remember will not be the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Alija Izetbegovic was one of those rare leaders who could bring together thought and politics, faith and justice. In the darkest periods of history, he stood up for human dignity and the ideal of peace… pic.twitter.com/JRH1XnCVxa

— Ozgur Ozel (@eczozgurozel) October 19, 2025