Muhamed Bekir Kalajdžić

Muhamed Bekir Kalajdžić was one of the most important pioneers of Bosniak publishing and cultural revival in the early 20th century. As the founder of the First Muslim Publishing House and Printing Press in Mostar and creator of the influential literary journal Biser, he played a crucial role in preserving Bosniak literature, Islamic heritage, and intellectual identity during a transformative period in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s history.

Early Life and Education

Muhamed Bekir Kalajdžić was born on 25 September 1892 in Mostar, during the final years of Ottoman rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina. From a young age, he displayed an independent spirit, intellectual curiosity, and a strong sense of justice that would define his life and work.

He completed his early education in Mostar, attending maktab and ruždija schools before enrolling in a trade school. During his studies, Kalajdžić became known for defending the rights of disadvantaged students. His activism resulted in him being expelled from school twice after standing up for a poor classmate named Korenić. Although he hoped to continue his education at the Sharia Judicial School, the death of his father forced him to remain at home and support his family.

These early experiences shaped his deep awareness of social inequality and strengthened his belief in education and culture as tools for collective progress.

Founding the First Muslim Publishing House

In 1911, at only nineteen years of age, Kalajdžić made a bold and visionary move that would change Bosniak cultural history. When the bookstore and printing press of Mostar politician and publisher Đuro Džamonja went into financial collapse, Kalajdžić purchased the business.

On 1 December 1911, he officially established the First Muslim Publishing Bookstore and Printing Press (Prva muslimanska nakladna knjižara i štamparija Muhamed Bekir Kalajdžić) in Mostar, later opening a branch in Trebinje. It became the first Muslim-owned publishing institution of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina and represented a major milestone for Bosniak intellectual and literary development.

At a time when Bosniak literary production was limited and culturally marginalized, Kalajdžić recognized the importance of creating institutions dedicated to preserving Bosniak identity, literature, and educational advancement.

The Creation of Biser

Kalajdžić’s most important and enduring achievement was the establishment of the literary journal Biser (“Pearl”), first published on 1 June 1912.

The idea for the magazine originated with the young poet Mirhab Šukri Karišiković, whose vision Kalajdžić strongly supported. Together with a circle of emerging Bosniak intellectuals and writers — including Abdurezak Hivzi Bjelavac, Husein Đogo, Salih Bakamović, Omer Balić, and Muhamed Behlilović — Biser quickly became the leading Bosniak literary and cultural publication of its era.

Originally conceived as a journal dedicated to spreading education and enlightenment among Muslims, Biser evolved into an influential literary platform focused on Bosniak identity, Islamic thought, literature, translation, and cultural renewal.

The magazine was published across three periods:

• 1912–1913
• 1913–1914
• 1918

Despite its relatively short lifespan, Biser left an extraordinary impact on Bosniak literary history.

Collaboration with Musa Ćazim Ćatić

One of Kalajdžić’s most significant editorial decisions came in early 1913 when he personally traveled to Tešanj to persuade the renowned poet Musa Ćazim Ćatić to become editor of Biser.

Ćatić accepted enthusiastically and transformed the publication into the most important Muslim literary journal of the period. Under his editorial leadership, Biser reached new intellectual and artistic heights.

During his time in Mostar, Ćatić produced some of his finest literary work, especially in the field of translation. Through Kalajdžić’s publishing house, he translated numerous works from Turkish and Arabic into Bosnian, helping connect Bosniak readers with broader Islamic and Oriental intellectual traditions.

The partnership between Kalajdžić and Ćatić remains one of the defining collaborations in Bosniak literary history.

The “Muslim Library” Project

In addition to Biser, Kalajdžić launched another major publishing initiative in 1913: the Muslim Library (Muslimanska biblioteka).

The collection published approximately seventy titles, including:

• works by Bosniak authors,
• translations from Turkish and Arabic,
• Islamic educational texts,
• literature,
• essays,
• and didactic works.

The goal of the project was not only literary publication but also cultural preservation and intellectual empowerment of Bosniaks during a time of rapid political and social transformation.

Many of the translations within the collection were completed by Musa Ćazim Ćatić himself, further strengthening the intellectual influence of Kalajdžić’s publishing efforts.

Challenges During and After the World Wars

The outbreak of the First World War interrupted Kalajdžić’s publishing activities. Printing and literary work became increasingly difficult under wartime conditions, though he briefly revived Biser again in 1918.

Following the war, economic hardship and changing political realities forced him to adapt. In 1920, he sold his printing press and relocated to Sarajevo, where he continued working in trade and publishing.

Before the Second World War, he reopened a Muslim bookstore and printing house in Sarajevo and later established the business Kalajdžić i Behmen – Paper and Writing Supplies. However, after the war, the socialist government’s abolition of the private sector brought an end to his independent publishing activities.

Despite these setbacks, Kalajdžić never abandoned his broader cultural mission.

Vision for Bosniak Cultural Institutions

Kalajdžić understood that publishing alone was not enough to ensure long-term cultural development. He therefore initiated plans for the establishment of a “Muslim Matica,” a cultural institution intended to support Bosniak intellectual life, education, and literary activity.

He prepared a detailed organizational and operational framework for the institution, demonstrating remarkable foresight and strategic thinking. Unfortunately, due to political hesitation and lack of broader institutional support, the initiative was never realized.

Nevertheless, the proposal reflected Kalajdžić’s lifelong commitment to building sustainable cultural infrastructure for Bosniaks.

Legacy and Historical Importance

Muhamed Bekir Kalajdžić is remembered today as one of the foundational figures of modern Bosniak publishing and cultural preservation.

Through Biser, the Muslim Library, and his printing and bookstore enterprises, he created spaces where Bosniak literature, identity, and intellectual life could develop independently and confidently during a challenging historical period.

His work preserved important literary and cultural traditions while inspiring future generations of Bosniak writers, scholars, and publishers.

Kalajdžić died in Sarajevo on 10 September 1963 and was buried at Hambina Carina cemetery. More than half a century later, his name remains closely associated with the struggle for cultural dignity, education, and the preservation of Bosniak heritage through the written word.

Today, Muhamed Bekir Kalajdžić stands as a symbol of intellectual courage, cultural vision, and unwavering dedication to Bosniak literature and identity.