Aliya İzzetbegoviç | Bosanski Samac | Philosopher, Statesman |
Ferruh Başağa | Saraybosna | Artist, Painter |
Hersekli Arif Hikmet | Mostar | Divan Poet, Writer |
Hoca Mehmed Kadri Nasıh Efendi | Hersek | Youngturk, Journalist, Writer |
Matrakçı Nasuh | Saraybosna | miniature painter |
Mehmet Nergisi | Saraybosna | Divan Literature Writer, Kadi |
Sabit | Uziçe | Divan Poet |
Sakallı Celal Bey | Bosna | Thinker, Philosopher |
Tacida Hafız | Saraybosna | Professor of Turkish Literature |
Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu | Designer | |
Turkishness is not an ethnical category. While everyone who is Muslim in the Balkans defines himself as Turkish, everyone who is Ottoman in the Americas is referred to as El Turco!
A Bosnian praying in front of Damat Ali Pasha Tomb in Belgrade says “I am a Turk, alhamdulillah, I am a Muslim, alhamdulillah”. While importance is given to common thoughts and common cultures in the Balkans, finding solutions to issues with a soft and tolerant perspective seems to be the most important attitude.