Islam in Bosnien-Herzegowina und die Netzwerke der Jungmuslime (1918-1983)

By Armina Omerika

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into the complex evolution of Islam and Muslim communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout the twentieth century, offering readers a nuanced understanding of how spiritual movements adapt and persist under changing political circumstances. Armina Omerika examines the intricate relationships between shifting state policies, religious networks, and internal developments within Islamic religious discourse from 1918 to 1983.

The study pays particular attention to the Young Muslims (Mladi Muslimani), a movement that emerged in 1941 and significantly influenced the character of Bosnian Islam through various forms and degrees of activity. These spiritual activists operated through informal yet powerful religious networks that extended both locally and internationally, demonstrating how faith communities can maintain their identity and purpose even when operating outside official structures.

For readers interested in understanding how religious movements navigate political challenges while preserving their spiritual essence, this work reveals how the Young Muslims sustained their activities underground for decades. The narrative traces their remarkable journey from clandestine operations to positions of political, religious, and economic influence in the early 1990s through the Party of Democratic Action (SDA).

This comprehensive analysis illuminates the enduring interplay between religion, politics, and society, offering valuable insights into how spiritual communities can maintain their core values while adapting to dramatically changing circumstances over generations.