Episode 18: Tragedies and Triumphs of Bosnians in Turkey

In this powerful episode of Alienated Voices, Talha shares his family’s harrowing journey as Bosnian refugees who fled the war and genocide of the 1990s. While they have found success in Turkey, running a thriving textile business, their displacement was not a choice—it was a means of survival. Talha reflects on how xenophobia and Islamophobia ignited the conflict and how his family carries the trauma of torture and loss. He also highlights the ongoing displacement of people worldwide, emphasizing that no one should be forced to leave their homeland to escape violence and persecution. The episode urges listeners to recognize that while refugees may succeed, the cost of losing their home and culture is immense, and speaking out against injustice is essential to ensuring “never again” truly means something.