IUS Hosts 12th International Islam & Liberty Roundtable on Peaceful Coexistence in a Free Society

The International University of Sarajevo (IUS), under the coordinatorship of Assistant Prof. Dr. Edo Omerčević from the Faculty of Business and Administration (FBA), hosted the 12th International Islam & Liberty Roundtable Conference on 12–13 February 2026, bringing together prominent scholars, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the theme “Living Together Peacefully in a Free Society.”

The conference opened with welcome remarks by IUS Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, followed by keynote addresses from Dr. Mazen Derawan, Head of the Syrian Federation of Chambers of Industry, and Dr. Ali Salman, CEO of the Islam and Liberty Network Foundation.

Organized by the Islam and Liberty Network Foundation (Malaysia) and hosted by IUS in collaboration with the Center for Advanced Studies (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the Center for Combating Islamophobia (Türkiye), the event aimed to deepen understanding of religious, political, and economic freedom as essential foundations for peace, prosperity, and coexistence in Muslim-majority societies and beyond.

Over two days, participants engaged in interdisciplinary discussions on freedom, pluralism, markets, identity, and coexistence, with special attention to contemporary global challenges and the Western Balkans context. Sessions addressed a wide range of timely topics, including the relationship between Islam and classical liberal principles, economic freedom and market-based approaches to social justice, Islamic social finance and fintech innovation, refugee entrepreneurship, and external influences shaping economic freedom and human security in the region.

By convening diverse voices and perspectives, the conference reaffirmed IUS’s commitment to meaningful dialogue and academic engagement on issues that shape peaceful societies and sustainable development - locally and globally.