Senad Hadzic update [Oct 18, 2012]

Senad Hadzic upon reaching Saudi Arabia.
(Source: Avaz.ba)

Some time has passed since I last updated you all on the progress of Senad Hadzic - the Bosnian native walking the 6,000-kilometre journey from his home-town of Banovici to the Saudi city of Mecca; all as part of the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage - so here is some fresh news.

It was revealed on the official Facebook page dedicated to Hadzic's trek that today, after 314 days and 5,700 kilometres of walking, Senad had made it to the historic Saudi Arabian city of Medina.

Reaching the city marks a major milestone for Hadzic who, after taking off on his journey from northern Bosnia on December 10 last year, is now only several hundred kilometres away from his target of Mecca.

The 47-year-old has faced many difficulties along the way, including trekking through war-zones, severe heat and being held up on the Saudi Arabian border for two months, but he can now see the end in sight.

With the 2012 Hajj not due to commence for another six days, no doubt Senad is rewarding himself with a little bit of 'rest' before the process begins - if you label 'rest' as walking around to check out all the historic landmarks (such as the Prophet's Mosque) that are located in Medina!

Congratulations and well done, Senad.

Photos + Videos: BiH - Lithuania

Here are some photos and videos from the FIFA World Cup Qualifier staged in Zenica last night between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lithuania.
I was fortunate enough to attend the match, and I am glad to report to you that the Bosnians were victorious 3-0 on the evening.

The majority were taken from my personal phone, however, I have also added some better quality ones I found across the Internet.

Enjoy!

Photos:

Two hours prior to kick-off, and, across on the other side of the Bosna River to the stadium, the usually-sparse car park at Zenica Shopping Centar is jam-packed:




















Several hundred Bosnian fans wait outside the team's hotel to catch a glimpse of their players before they board the bus to make the ... 100-metre ... journey to Bilino Polje stadium:

I have taken up my position in the stadium, which is surprisingly crowded, despite there remaining a further hour or so until kick-off:




















As the atmosphere builds around the stadium in the lead-up to kick-off, a giant flag flies above the crowd in the south stand:

I am not quite sure how to describe this photo, but I will try. As the Lithuanian squad entered the pitch for their warm-up routine, this elderly man down on the fence in, well, formal attire (to say the least) began dancing and jumping up and down with his Bosnia-Herzegovina flag. Scroll down the page, you can see what I mean on one of the videos I took:

There was a very large police presence at the match; in fact, some of the riot police even had access to their very own VIP/Press box for the entire game! Can't say I have seen that one before!:

Half-time arrives with Bosnia holding a comfortable 3-0 lead over the Lithuanian's. Despite the fact myself and the whole stadium were standing the whole match, now feels like a good time to give the legs a stretch:


























No matter where I am in the world, I always feel at home on the football terraces:



















Mid-way through the second half, and residents of an adjacent building spark up a flare from their private balcony:

Here's a higher-quality version I found on the Internet; (Source: Reprezentacija.ba):

After successfully maintaining their 3-0 lead to full-time, the Bosnian squad make a lap of the pitch to thank their vocal fans:

Bosnian fans pour onto the streets of Zenica post-game to soak up another victory of their national side:

Movies:

Here you go, here's that crazy supporter!

Not my video, but taken from the other end of the stadium as the players are about to enter the pitch. The fans are initially chanting to each other, 'Bosnia is champion!', before the whole stadium begins singing, 'Who isn't jumping hates Bosnia!' - cue thousands across each stand bouncing!

After taking the lead during the first-half, the Bosnian fans sing a famous song of the iconic Dino Merlin.

The lighting of the flare in the apartments behind the stadium.

The match comes to a conclusion as Bosnia are 3-0 victors over Lithuania. Small cameo appearance from yours truly, just to prove I was actually there (in case you were doubting me).

Outside the stadium, and the car horns are getting a good work-out!

Can this be considered official after 8 months here?

PS. I have managed to get my hands on tickets to the match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Lithuania tonight.
HAJMO BOSNO HAJMO HERZEGOVINO!!

(Can you tell I'm excited?)

Srebrenica love story.

Love is hope in Srebrenica.
(Source: Hmmagazine.com)

There is another story out of Srebrenica that has been receiving media attention across the globe in recent weeks, however, unlike the usual news articles linked to the town, this is one that is refreshingly positive and offers hope.

The story surrounds Almir Salihovic and Dusica Rendulic; a man and woman, both in their 20s, who have fallen in love, moved in together, have a child and are due to marry.

Although the circumstances of their relationship may seem typical or usual upon first-glance, the truth is that, in the grand scheme of things, it is much more significant than that.

Salihovic is a Bosnian Muslim, whilst Rendulic is a Catholic who is the daughter of Serb-Croat parents, meaning their marriage - due to take place in May of 2013 - is believed to be the first mixed-marriage to occur in Srebrenica since the town's infamous massacre in 1995, when more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered by Serbian forces.

Although some in the divided town have expressed their disapproval toward the relationship, Rendulic said it has not bothered the couple.

"For us, it was easy," she said, adding that she has been accepted and supported by Salihovic's neighbours and family.

The pair's young son, Yusuf, is named after one of Salihovic's six uncles who were killed during the Srebrenica massacre.

"If I had six sons, I would name them all after Almir's late uncles," Rendulic added.

In a region that has been stigmatised by nationalistic and religious divisions amongst people for a number of years, this story provides fresh hope that, with new generations, change and peace will finally come.

Things I'll miss about Bosnia: #4

A public game of chess in Sarajevo attracts dozens of
onlookers.
(Source: Igougo.com)

Public games of chess

Wow, how I love bearing witness to these!

Public games of chess are an extremely common sight across many towns and cities in Bosnia. They are a favourite pastime of, particularly, elderly citizens, and, boy, do they take the games seriously.

'Big' games, involving larger-than-usual chess pieces, can gather crowds in the dozens, whilst there are also many people who partake in small one-on-one games of table chess outside their apartment buildings, as well as in public parks.

On most occasions, regardless of whether or not it is a 'big' or 'small' game, it all comes together to form some sort of social event; take the coffees (who knows where they get them from), the cigarettes, and whatever else, and there you have it - men sitting down over chess and discussing anything and everything.

Serious Business: A man celebrates during a game
of chess in Sarajevo, February 2004.
(Source: PaulHardyCarter.com)

Of course, that's not when they are getting all 'antsy' over a contentious chess move, or an important play. (...and you thought football fans are crazy about their sport!)

Maybe I am looking in the wrong places, but you just don't see that sort of thing in Australia.

In fact, Bosnians are so serious about their chess, that they even have an annual international chess tournament staged in Sarajevo.

Further to that, the Bosna Sarajevo Chess Club have been European team champions on a total of four occasions since 1994.

I love it; and walking past these old guys enjoying a game outside always brings a bit of a smile to one's face.

In a day and age when most people are happy to camp themselves in front of their TV set or computer (..ahem..) rather than heading outdoors, I say: Well done, and keep it up, fellas!

Sarajevo's 'Solidarity in Action'

Volunteers will be collecting food and other supplies
outside a number of shopping centres across Sarajevo,
including the newly-built BBI Centar in the downtown
area of the city.
(Source: BBIcentar.ba)

Volunteers began working in Sarajevo today on the 'Solidarity in Action' program, an initiative designed to collect and redistribute food to disadvantaged people throughout the city.

The action - organised by the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina - has seen stalls set up outside a number of Sarajevo's large supermarkets, with volunteers calling on the customers of those stores to spare what they can for the people in need.

The program will run from today and tomorrow, with all food and hygienic supplies collected to be provided to public kitchens and other vulnerable citizens in the Sarajevo district.

It is heart-warming and uplifting to see such initiatives in a country where, despite enduring difficult times, people are still willing to give whatever they can to others less fortunate than themselves.

People can follow updates of the 'Solidarity in Action' program through the Facebook page of Novo Sarajevo's Red Cross group: Hajde! Click here!

Football: Bosnia claim a point in Athens

The Bosnians are satisfied after their 0-0 draw to Greece in
Athens on Friday night.
(Source: Klix.ba)

Bosnia and Herzegovina have maintained their position atop of World Cup qualifying Group G after holding Greece to a goalless draw in Athens last night.

In a match with few highlights, the Dragons' defence held strong to repel a number of Greek attacks on goal, delivering the side a crucial point away from home.

The Greeks should have gone ahead in the fifth minute when Giorgios Samaras set up team-mate Theofanis Gekas, but the striker mis-parried his shot into the post with the goal at his mercy.

For the remainder of the match, clear-cut opportunities on goal for either side were few and far between, and, with possession relatively even (BiH, 53%, slightly nudged the Greeks, 47%, with the ball), it could be said that 0-0 was a fair result.

Although Bosnia remain in first position of the group, they are equal on seven points with Slovakia and Greece, meaning, if they serious about their desire to qualify for Brazil in 2014, they will need nothing short of a victory in Zenica on Tuesday evening against Lithuania.

Here are the current standings of Group G (remember, the top two sides from each group will qualify for the World Cup):

(Source: Fifa.com)

Come on, Dragons ..