Our background
Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the western Balkans, boasts a rich tapestry of history that dates back to prehistoric times with the early Illyrian tribes. It was absorbed into the Roman Empire before falling under the sway of the Byzantines and later the Medieval Kingdom of Hungary. The establishment of an independent medieval Bosnian state occurred in the 12th century, marked by the reign of Ban Kulin and the founding of the Bosnian Church, an indigenous Christian sect that held sway alongside Catholicism and Orthodoxy. The Ottoman Empire’s conquest in the 15th century introduced Islam, fundamentally altering the region’s demographic and cultural landscape. After centuries of Ottoman rule, Bosnia and Herzegovina transitioned to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the late 19th century, precipitating a period of modernization and intensified nationalistic sentiments among its Orthodox Serb, Catholic Croat, and Muslim Bosniak populations. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914 ignited World War I, after which Bosnia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes—later known as Yugoslavia—under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito post-World War II.
The disintegration of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s led to the declaration of Bosnian independence in 1992, which triggered a brutal conflict known as the Bosnian War, characterized by ethnic cleansing and severe human rights violations, including the genocide in Srebrenica. The war concluded in 1995 with the Dayton Accords, establishing a complex federal structure and a fragile peace. Since then, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been on a challenging journey towards reconciliation, democratic governance, and economic recovery, aspiring for closer integration with the European Union while grappling with the enduring legacies of its past conflicts.
Post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina has faced the monumental task of rebuilding a nation scarred by conflict and division. The Dayton Accords, while ending the fighting, enshrined an intricate political system that divided the country into two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, predominantly Bosniak and Croat, and the Republika Srpska, predominantly Serb. A third region, the Brčko District, was established as a neutral, multi-ethnic area under joint local and state authority. This arrangement has often led to gridlock and inefficiency, impeding the nation’s path to socio-economic progress and European integration.
Despite these challenges, Bosnia and Herzegovina has worked to bridge the divides between its ethnic groups and to forge a unified national identity. Efforts to join the European Union have provided a framework for reform and have driven legislative and democratic development. The country has made strides in reforming its economy and military, aligning with NATO standards, and combating corruption and organized crime.
Culturally, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a melting pot of Eastern and Western influences, reflective of its storied past. The historic city of Mostar, with its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), and the capital, Sarajevo, with its diverse religious monuments, exemplify the country’s rich heritage. The annual Sarajevo Film Festival, among other cultural events, has re-established the country as a center of artistic expression and cultural dialogue in the region.
Reconciliation, however, remains an ongoing process, with the memories of the war and its atrocities still fresh for many. The struggle for justice continues, with international and local courts prosecuting war crimes. Education and dialogue are seen as vital in healing the wounds of the past and building a more inclusive society.
Entering the third decade of the 21st century, Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the future with cautious optimism. The younger generations, often less burdened by the divisions of the past, are increasingly taking up the mantle of change, advocating for a Bosnia that is democratic, prosperous, and at peace with its diverse identity. As it continues to navigate the complexities of post-conflict recovery and political reform, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a poignant example of the enduring human spirit’s capacity for resilience and hope.
The history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as experienced by its Muslim population, is a narrative of religious coexistence, conversion, and conflict. The early history of Bosnia saw the establishment of the Bosnian Church, an independent Christian sect, which managed to attract followers from among the Slavic population. However, with the arrival of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, the landscape of Bosnian faith underwent a profound transformation. The Ottomans introduced Islam to the region, and over the centuries, many Bosnians embraced this new religion, which brought with it not only a spiritual framework but also a range of cultural and legal institutions.
Muslims in Bosnia, known as Bosniaks, enjoyed a relatively high degree of autonomy under Ottoman rule, and Bosnia became a critical frontier province of the empire. The millet system allowed for religious communities to govern themselves according to their own laws, with Islam becoming deeply rooted in the societal structure. The Ottoman period is marked by the construction of numerous mosques, madrasas, and other Islamic institutions, many of which became architectural and cultural landmarks.
The decline of the Ottoman Empire and the subsequent annexation of Bosnia by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the late 19th century introduced secular governance to the region. However, the Bosniak identity remained closely tied to Islam, which continued to be a central component of their culture and community cohesion.
The 20th century, particularly the era of socialist Yugoslavia, saw the suppression of religious expression in favor of a secular, multi-ethnic state. Despite the official stance, Islam remained a key part of Bosniak identity, practiced privately and within families.
With the disintegration of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992, which led to the Bosnian War. For Bosniaks, the war was a period of immense suffering, as they faced the brunt of ethnic cleansing and genocide, most infamously in Srebrenica where thousands of Muslim men and boys were systematically murdered. The conflict saw the targeting and destruction of Islamic architecture and heritage, an attempt to erase the historical presence of Muslims in the region.
The Dayton Peace Accords of 1995 brought an end to the conflict but left Bosnia and Herzegovina deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines. In the post-war period, the reconstruction of mosques and Islamic institutions has been a symbol of resilience and recovery for Bosniaks. The return of religious education and the establishment of Islamic community centers have helped to restore the cultural and religious life that was disrupted by the war.
Today, Bosnian Muslims continue to navigate their identity in a country still marked by the legacies of its past conflicts. While striving for a harmonious coexistence with their neighbors of other faiths, Bosniaks are also actively engaged in rebuilding their communities, preserving their rich Islamic traditions, and contributing to the country’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. Interfaith dialogue and cooperation are increasingly seen as vital for the nation’s path towards a peaceful and inclusive future.