Ali-beg Firdus
Ali-beg Firdus was a Bosnian politician active during the late 19th and early 20th century. He came from a prominent Bosniak captain family that governed Livno from 1750 to 1835. He completed primary education in his hometown, while the rest of his education was acquired independently throughout his life. His strong character, political acumen, patriotism, and widespread popularity among Bosniaks made him a leading figure in the Bosniak political movement.
Following the establishment of the Rijaset in 1882 and the growing dissatisfaction among Bosniaks regarding the status of their religious and educational institutions within Austria-Hungary, Firdus emerged as a staunch advocate for Bosniak rights through his involvement in the Movement of Bosniaks for Waqf and Educational Autonomy. Alongside Mufti Džabić, he became a prominent leader of the Bosniaks of that era.
The executive committee evolved into a representative body of the Bosniak people, and its members became key negotiators in the struggle for Muslim waqf-educational autonomy. Together with the Serbs, Firdus protested the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He served as a representative in the Bosnian Parliament and was its first president.
In response to his written invitation, a meeting of Bosniak representatives from across Bosnia and Herzegovina was held on 3 December 1906, where the Muslim People's Organization was founded. At the same time, the executive committee of this political organization was elected, with its permanent headquarters in Budapest, and Ali-beg Firdus became its first president.