Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina facts for kids

Share of Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina by municipalities in 2013

Islam is the most widespread religion in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was introduced to the local population in the 15th and 16th centuries as a result of the Ottoman conquest of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Muslims comprise the single largest religious community in Bosnia and Herzegovina (51%) (the other two large groups being Eastern Orthodox Christians (31%), almost all of whom identify as Serbs, and Roman Catholics (15%), almost all of whom identify as Croats.

Almost all of Bosnian Muslims identify as Bosniaks; until 1993, Bosnians of Muslim culture or origin (regardless of religious practice) were defined by Yugoslav authorities as Muslimani (Muslims) in an ethno-national sense (hence the capital M), though some people of Bosniak or Muslim backgrounds identified their nationality (in an ethnic sense rather than strictly in terms of citizenship) as "Yugoslav" prior to the early 1990s. A small minority of non-Bosniak Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina include Albanians, Roma and Turks.

Albeit traditionally adherent to Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, a 2012 survey found 54% of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Muslims to consider themselves just Muslims, while 38% told that they are Sunni Muslims. There is also a small Sufi community, located primarily in Central Bosnia. Small Shia Muslim community is also present in Bosnia. Almost all Muslim congregations in Bosnia and Herzegovina refer to the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina as their religious organisation.

The Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina guarantees freedom of religion, which is generally upheld throughout the country.

Images for kids

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  Tekija of Pehare, Zenica

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  Fethija mosque (Bihać), former church of St. Anthony, 1266

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  Muslihudin Čekrekčija Mosque, Sarajevo, 1526

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  Karađoz Bey Mosque, Mostar, 1557

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  Ali Pasha Mosque (Sarajevo), 1560

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  Baščaršija Mosque, Sarajevo, 1561

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  Mosque, Počitelj, 1561

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  Čobanija Mosque, before 1565

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  Emperor's Mosque, Sarajevo, rebuilt 1565

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  Hadzi Ahmeta Dukatar's Mosque, Livno, 1574

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  Ferhadija Mosque in Sarajevo

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  Ferhat Pasha Mosque in Banja Luka, 1579 (rebuilt 2016)

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  Mosque, Mostar, 1617

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  Wooden mosque, Tuzla, from the 18th century

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  Aladža Mosque in Foča, 1550 (photographed in August 1989; rebuilt 2018)

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  Old Mosque of Jajce under reconstruction (2008)

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  Ferhat Pasha Mosque in Banja Luka, 1579 (rebuilt 2016)

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  Aladža Mosque in Foča, 1550 (rebuilt 2018)