{
  "id": 8558964,
  "title": "Born in Malaysia, Bosnian by blood: Meet the brothers winning hearts online",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/born-in-malaysia-bosnian-by-blood-meet-the-brothers-winning-hearts",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T23:46:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2026/09/1536408/born-malaysia-bosnian-blood-meet-brothers-winning-hearts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Born in Malaysia, the Hodzic brothers, Fehim and Hamza, embody the profound connection between heritage and homeland. Initially from Bosnia, their father Nermin found refuge in Malaysia after surviving the horrors of the 1990s Balkan War. Now, the brothers and their mother live in Malaysia, creating content on TikTok and Instagram under the handles @fehimhodziccc and @hamzahodzic. Their warm hospitality and familial love create an atmosphere reminiscent of Malaysian homes, where food and laughter take precedence over conversation.\n\nThe Hodzic family's story is one of resilience and gratitude. Nermin, a former veterinary student, returned to Bosnia during the war, only to be captured and imprisoned for months. After his release, he was offered a chance to study in Malaysia, an opportunity that provided safety and stability. Nermin embraced this opportunity, earning a degree in Communications and later embarking on a successful corporate career. Despite working in logistics and supply chain management, he maintained a deep connection to Malaysia, often reflecting on the country's values of justice, diversity, and unity.\n\nThe brothers' personal journey underscores the idea that home transcends physical boundaries. For Nermin, Malaysia is more than a country listed on a birth certificate; it is a place where he and his family found safety, security, and a sense of belonging. Their experience highlights how home is shaped by gratitude and community, and how it can be rooted in a place far from the land of one's birth.",
  "summary": "WHAT makes a place feel like home? Is it the soil where one’s ancestors are buried, or the ground where one finally feels safe enough to dream?",
  "key_points": [
    "Hodzic brothers born in Malaysia, but of Bosnian heritage",
    "Father Nermin survived 1990s Balkan War, studied in Malaysia",
    "Brothers create content on TikTok and Instagram to share hospitality"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Hodzic brothers' online presence humanizes the experience of being a global citizen with a complex heritage, illustrating how home and identity can be rooted in a place that feels welcoming.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}