Agreement Signed in Sarajevo Between the Yasser Arafat Foundation and the Alija Izetbegović Foundation

The Alija Izetbegović Foundation had the honor of hosting Dr. Ahmed Soboh, Chairman of the Board of the Yasser Arafat Foundation from Palestine, in Sarajevo. Dr. Soboh visited Bosnia and Herzegovina from April 28 to May 1, 2025. In addition to numerous organized meetings and engagements, the main purpose of his visit was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Yasser Arafat Foundation and the Alija Izetbegović Foundation.

On April 29, a visit was arranged to the premises of the Alija Izetbegović Foundation, where discussions were held about the mission and work of the foundations, as well as the possibilities and projects for cooperation. Dr. Soboh visited the Foundation accompanied by H.E. the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rezeq Namoora, and the First Secretary of the Embassy, Ms. Roba Aljamal. They were welcomed by President Zijad Ljevaković and members of the Board of the Alija Izetbegović Foundation: Sabina Berberović, Faris Nanić, and Fahrudin Rizvanbegović.

After a productive discussion and a visit to Alija Izetbegović’s memorial room, the delegations of the foundations walked together through Baščaršija, recited El-Fatiha at Alija Izetbegović’s grave at the “Kovači” Martyrs’ Cemetery, and visited the Alija Izetbegović Museum, where the mother-of-pearl calligraphy plaque, a gift by Yasser Arafat to Alija Izetbegović is kept.

Later that day, a cooperation agreement was signed between the two foundations, paving the way for the realization of joint projects aimed at preserving the legacy of President Yasser Arafat and President Alija Izetbegović and remembering their struggle for freedom, justice, and identity.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Yasser Arafat Foundation by Dr. Ahmed Soboh, Chairman of the Board, and on behalf of the Alija Izetbegović Foundation by Esma Zlatar, Secretary General.

Zijad Ljevaković, Chairman of the Board of the Alija Izetbegović Foundation, stated on this occasion: “Alija Izetbegović and Yasser Arafat shared a strong belief in the need to nurture and develop harmonious relations among the peoples in their countries—ethnic, religious, and cultural. For them, it was imperative to act upon such values in their lands with millennia-old traditions of fostering these relationships. They built their personal bond on these values—mutual respect, trust, and friendship that lasted until their departure from this world to the Hereafter…”

“Today we are signing this agreement between the foundations in firm faith and strong intent that the achievement of Yasser Arafat and Alija Izetbegović will remain a lasting obligation for future leaders of our countries, who will have to make difficult decisions. We hope it will also serve as inspiration for generations of scholars and thinkers across the free and freedom-loving world.”

During this ceremonial event, both Dr. Ahmed Soboh and H.E. Rezeq Namoora delivered remarks, and the signing was attended by numerous guests and media representatives.

On behalf of the Alija Izetbegović Foundation, we express our happiness and satisfaction for having the opportunity to welcome Dr. Soboh, Chairman of the Yasser Arafat Foundation, and we are looking forward to our future cooperation, confident that it will be fruitful and beneficial.