Bosnia's Goražde hosts book promotion on wartime sexual violence

“Life by a Strand of Hair” is the title of a book by author Enisa Grabus, which was promoted in Goražde ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, to be marked tomorrow under the slogan: “FOČA REMEMBERS – Silence Must Not Be Stronger Than the Truth.”

The book tells the moving and true life story of Zehra Murguz, a survivor of rape and the aggression against Foča and Bosnia and Herzegovina, CE Report quotes FENA.

Through the book, Enisa Grabus conveys Zehra’s painful fate and exceptionally important life story, carrying the message that neither her suffering nor that of any victim of the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina should ever be repeated.

“I am pleased that in heroic Goražde we have the opportunity to present a book that recounts the true life story of Foča native Zehra Murguz and addresses the issue of wartime rape. The book is a testimony to this heinous and grave crime. I first heard Zehra’s story in a television interview, which inspired me to contact her and get to know her personally. With each meeting, she revealed more details about the ordeal she had endured. I realized that she had placed great trust in me, and together we decided to document her story in order to preserve the culture of remembrance for future generations and to encourage other victims who have not yet spoken out to do so. The book has already gone into a second edition and has been promoted seven times across Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Germany, confirming that we did the right thing,” explained author Enisa Grabus.

In August 1992, Zehra was raped in her family home by her Serbian neighbor in front of her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law. After the assault, the perpetrator murdered all three family members before her eyes, while she managed to escape. Her husband was taken to the Foča Correctional Facility, after which all trace of him was lost, and her father was also killed. Zehra’s wish was to ensure that the suffering she endured would never be forgotten.

“No matter how much we talk or write, there is always something left untold. After everything that happened in my life, and after I found and exhumed my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law, I also found my father, who was killed during the war. Since I have no children of my own, dear Allah sent me a wonderful gift—my Enisa. We connected instantly through Facebook and agreed to write this book. It did not take me long because I knew I had found the right person for the task,” explained Zehra Murguz.

She believes that this book, like others that deal with events during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, makes an important contribution to preserving memory for future generations.

“This is reading material for future generations because if we remain silent, then we approve; if we speak, it means it happened to us. I truly want the truth to be known—that there was aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, not simply a war, as some claim. Today I hear people saying that we should reconcile, but we were never the ones who started a conflict; we defended our homes and our country. We must speak and write so that others do not write our history for us, glorify convicted war criminals, and present them as heroes. The real history—not a distorted one—must be known. It should be taught in schools and universities, and every book written by Alen, Zehra, Halida, and others should find its place in classrooms, be read, and studied,” Murguz said.

The book was published in cooperation with the Association of War Victims of Foča 1992–95. The association’s president, Midheta Kaloper, stressed that the value of this work is immeasurable.

“The association agreed to co-publish this book because such works are important beyond measure. Through this book, Zehra leaves a legacy for future generations so that children may learn and remember. In her concluding remarks in the book, Zehra does not use words of hatred; rather, she wants future generations to remember what happened during the 1990s. I hope this book will encourage other women to speak out, write, and leave something behind. If only we had had books like this after the Second World War, perhaps our way of thinking today would be different,” Kaloper said.

Alongside Kaloper, Alen Muhić also took part in the promotion of the book as a presenter.

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