In the heart of Konjic, the name of Mahir Mujić has become synonymous with humanitarian feats and sporting achievements. This extraordinary man has won the hearts of many with his continuous efforts in the humanitarian sector and astonishing sporting achievements, earning him the prestigious title of “Man of the Year” 2018.
In 2019, Mahir received public recognition from the association “Volunteers and Friends of the Cavalry Region” for his exceptional contributions to civic activism and the development of democracy in the local community. His devoted work and tireless dedication are recognized as beacons of hope and change in his surroundings.
Athletics has been Mahir’s passion since his earliest days, but his real return to the sport came in 2017, when, faced with his own health challenges, he felt the need for a change. With breathtaking passion and discipline, Mahir successfully shed a significant number of pounds and returned to an active lifestyle, including running, cycling and hiking.
What makes Mahir really special is his continuous commitment to humanitarian work through various sports activities. For him, every kilometer run is an opportunity to raise funds for sick youth and children throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.
His first charity race of 2018 marked the beginning of an extraordinary commitment to marrying the love of sport with care for the community. His heroic races stand out, such as the one from Sarajevo to Banja Luka, with which he collected help for little Dalal Omerović from Bihać. He also ran for the brave Afan Selimović, Riad Dubravec, Merjem Bašić, Džemal Makan, for whom he ran from Sarajevo to Mostar. Mujić ran from Sarajevo to Banja Luka for “Truth and Justice” on behalf of Dženan Memić and David Dragičević.
Through his incredible races, Mahir has so far collected more than 50,000 KM, donating it to those who need it most.
Mahir never forgets his little friends for whom he ran throughout BiH. His warm and sincere care for them is reflected in regular visits and in maintaining close relations with their parents. It is not uncommon for him to be filled with joy when he learns that the children are well and that their family is happy and together.
Every year, Mahir, together with the members and volunteers of AK Pace, organizes the Konjic festival as part of the Konjic Summer Fest – an international festival that includes three days of diverse activities combining sports, culture, tourism and entertainment, always with a humanitarian character. The special charm of this event is the Puzijada – the race of crawling baby horses. Through the festival itself, which gathers over 1,000 participants and hundreds of volunteers, every year his dedication in organizing this festival is another example of selfless advocacy for a better community.
Mahir Mujić is not only an athlete and a humanitarian; he is also the leader who runs the Pace Athletic Club in Konjic, tirelessly fighting for the improvement of sports infrastructure in his hometown. His initiative “Everyone to the stadium” when the athletics track was renovated clearly testifies to his commitment to the improvement of athletic opportunities – providing better conditions for training and recreational running to his fellow citizens.
During the Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic, members of the club, as part of the humanitarian action “Life must not stop”, made an incredible contribution to the collection of donations of protective masks, hygiene products, etc. for the Health Center and Konjic General Hospital.
Mahir’s work and contribution did not go unnoticed. He has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for many young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, showing how enthusiasm, commitment and love for community can have a deep and lasting impact. His story reminds us that every individual has the power to create change, regardless of initial challenges or circumstances.
Mahir Mujić continues his journey, running for a better tomorrow and leaving behind a trail of positive changes in the community. His love for running, support for the community and persistence in achieving his goals make him a true hero of today, whose influence will be felt for generations. His story is a powerful reminder of the power of an individual to change the world for the better.
Written by: Sanela MUHIBIĆ
This story was written thanks to the generous support of the American people through the “Strength of the Local” program of the United States Agency for International Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (USAID). The content of the story is solely the responsibility of the author and the “Network for Building Peace”. The views expressed in the story do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
