Conversation about the Opus of Academician Ćemerlić at the UNSA Faculty of Islamic Sciences - Contribution in academic, political and identity aspects

At the Faculty of Islamic Sciences (FIN) of the University of Sarajevo, a "Conversation about the works of academician Prof. Dr. Hamdija Ćemerlić" was held today on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of his birth.

The venue for this event is particularly significant, given the fact that academician Ćemerlić is one of the founders of the Faculty of Islamic Theology and president of the Supreme Assembly of the Islamic Community in SFRY.

– Professor Ćemerlić was a registrar in the Registry Commission for the establishment of the Faculty. Also, he was one of the few people with such a rich academic experience who actively participated in the founding of the Faculty - stated, on this occasion, the Dean of FIN, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hasani.

He reminded that Ćemerlić already had the title of academician, which contributed to various aspects of the organization of work at this faculty.

- That is why his role in the establishment and profiling of curricula, the selection of personnel, especially younger ones, was crucial - said Dr. Hasani.

Academician Ćemerlić studied law in Belgrade, and received his doctorate at the Sorbonne in 1936.

He was a professor of constitutional law, dean of the Faculty of Law, rector of the University of Sarajevo, regular member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

– A significant man and an incredible biography. He was not only at the first AVNOJ in Bihać, he was at all three ZAVNOBiH and both AVNOJ. He was the first Minister of Justice in the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is the author, along with some other people, of course, of all acts and constitutions in the first phase of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Educated and smart man with attitude. Also, what we lack today was a wise man - recalled Prof. Dr. Enes Durmišević.

The program also discussed Ćemerlić's book "Electoral Systems in Yugoslavia". This is a doctoral dissertation that was defended at the Sorbonne in 1936.

– This work also speaks about morality in politics, the morality of voters and the electorate, political parties and the entire public. Some of the final recommendations he gave can still be applied to the electoral system in Bosnia and Herzegovina today.

In this sense, the work of Hamdija Ćemerlić is truly indispensable for anyone who deals with the issue of elections and the electoral system – emphasized Prof. Dr. Suad Arnautović.

He also pointed out two other significant dimensions of the personality of Academician Ćemerlić.

– One is statesmanship and patriotism, because he joined the healthy anti-fascist forces in World War II and actively participated in the national liberation struggle. It is also important to mention the identity dimension, because he was active, worked and contributed to the development of the Islamic Community in the then Yugoslavia – noted Dr. Arnautović.

Many of the ideas presented in the aforementioned doctoral dissertation are universal and applicable in various social contexts.

Senior Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law Harun Išerić recalled three ideas that confirm that Ćemerlić's work was focused on the current, but also the future.

The first idea is that, when transplanting a certain legal institute from foreign law, the domestic legislator must take into account the circumstances of the society to which that legal institute is being transferred.

The second idea is related to the general equal right to vote for women in the former Yugoslavia.

- Although this seems like a trivial issue today, given the large number of anti-gender campaigns across Europe, even Central America, this right is being questioned somewhere - Išerić pointed out.

According to the third mentioned idea, the characteristics of morality, justice and honesty should be on the side of politicians and public officials, but also on the side of those who elect them to these positions.

– When we have the virtue of honesty and morality on the side of voters and politicians, we can expect democracy and democratic institutions to function. Messages that are still relevant today, and I hope that through such events they will be updated and reach those they should – concluded Išerić.

Dr. Damir Banović also spoke about the Ćemerlić Academy, while the program was moderated by Prof. Dr. Zehra Alispahić.

Also, in the Ceremonial Hall of the Rectorate of the University of Sarajevo, a conference dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the birth of Academician Ćemerlić will be held tomorrow.