Sarajevo Hosts Intellectual Evening Promoting a Humanistic Reading of the Prophet’s Biography

Sarajevo Hosts Intellectual Evening Promoting a Humanistic Reading of the Prophet’s Biography
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The Gazi Husrev-beg Library in Sarajevo hosted an intellectual and dialogue-focused evening dedicated to discussing the Bosnian edition of the book The Good Word: Wisdom of the Quran and Hadith Throughout the Year by scholar Benjamin Idriz. The event was organized by the Islamic Community of Sarajevo in cooperation with Qubba Publishing House, and was attended by a broad audience of cultural figures and members of the public.

The discussion formed part of broader intellectual efforts to reintroduce the Holy Prophet’s biography through a universal humanistic lens. Idriz said the book offers a calm ethical and scholarly response to repeated insults against the Prophet by highlighting shared Quranic and prophetic values that address humanity as a whole, rather than engaging in polemics.

He noted that many aspects of the Prophet’s character remain insufficiently understood, even among some Muslims, emphasizing that teachings related to ethics, environmental responsibility, human relations, and coexistence with non-Muslims carry a global message relevant to contemporary challenges, particularly amid rising hostile discourse on social media.

Idriz added that the original German edition was presented in a church, underscoring the universal nature of the message, and announced that an English translation is forthcoming.

Speaking at the event, Abdulgafar Velić, head imam of the Islamic Community in Sarajevo, stressed that beauty lies at the core of the divine message, describing kind speech and good conduct as ethical responsibilities. Fadil Maljukić, a professor of Hadith studies, praised the book’s scholarly value, calling it a carefully selected collection that conveys unifying moral teachings essential for building constructive individuals and communities.