Mehmed Nureddin Efendi

Born in 1827 in today’s Pljevlja, known in the Ottoman period as Taşlıca, Mehmed Nureddin Efendi came from a well-established family of scholars.

He received his early education in Taşlıca and Sarajevo, then continued his studies at the Şehzade Madrasa in Istanbul. After returning to his hometown, he served as a preacher at the rüşdiye school and in 1866 was appointed mufti of Taşlıca.

Known in Bosniak and Sanjak memory as Şemsikadiç or Şemsekadiç, Mehmed Nureddin Efendi was also remembered by the nickname “the Dragon of Sanjak.” In 1878, during the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, he emerged not only as a mufti but as one of the leading figures of resistance.

His arrival in Sarajevo in July 1878 was received with great interest. At the provincial council held the following day, he called on the people of different religions to resist the occupation together. He later came to the fore in the defense around Tuzla and became one of the symbolic figures of the resistance that, with volunteers from Eastern Bosnia, the Sanjak of Novi Pazar and Kosovo, slowed the advance of Austro-Hungarian forces.

The phrases “renowned scholar” and “respected man of the learned class” in his inscription reflect both his standing in scholarly circles and his strong place in popular memory.

The famous Mufti of Taşlıca, Mehmed Nureddin Efendi, died on 4 Jumada al-Awwal 1306 (6 January 1889) and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.