Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Balkan country located in the heart of the European continent, has throughout history been home to many civilizations. This beautiful nation, with a population of approximately three and a half million, comprises the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the Republika Srpska (RS), and the Brčko District as an administrative unit. The capital city, Sarajevo, is known as a Turkic-Islamic city, particularly due to the complex built by Gazi Husrev Bey—Ottoman governor of the Bosnian Sanjak (d. 1541)—and the charitable endowments (waqfs) he established.
This country, home to various religions and cultures, is bordered by Serbia and Montenegro to the east and southeast and by Croatia to the north and west. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, primarily composed of citizens of Bosniak, Serb, and Croat descent. Today, approximately half of the population, around two million people, are Bosniak Muslims. On the other hand, Orthodox Christian Serbs make up about thirty-one percent of the population, while Catholic Croats account for approximately fifteen percent.
The arrival of Islam in these lands dates back approximately six centuries. With the efforts of Anatolian dervishes and the conquest of the region by the Ottoman Empire, Islam began to take root and was embraced by a significant portion of the population over the centuries. When Sultan Mehmed II conquered the Bosnian Kingdom in 1463, the region came under Ottoman rule. From 1463 to 1878, the Ottoman Empire governed these lands and, in addition to its military presence, played the role of a civilization-builder, constructing mosques, madrasahs, inns, bathhouses, bridges, and Sufi lodges across the region. According to widely accepted views, the local people and rulers, who had previously followed the Bogomil sect, voluntarily embraced Islam. This was due to the pressure they faced from the Catholic Church, the moral similarities between the Bogomil sect and Islam, and the atmosphere of tolerance presented by the Ottoman state. This voluntary conversion deepened the Bosnian Muslims’ attachment to their faith. Thus, the historical journey of Islam in this region has evolved into a vibrant cultural heritage, encompassing mosques, madrasahs, libraries, and institutions, and today, Bosnia and Herzegovina stands as one of the countries in Europe with the highest Muslim population.
Bosniak Muslims predominantly reside in cities within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the capital Sarajevo, as well as Zenica, Tuzla, Travnik, Bihać, and Mostar. The Muslim population in Bosnia and Herzegovina follows the Hanafi school of jurisprudence and the Maturidi creed. The Sufi tradition also holds a deeply rooted presence in the country. Historically, Sufi orders such as the Mawlawiyyah, Naqshbandiyyah, and Qadiriyyah have had a significant influence in the region. Even today, communal dhikr gatherings are regularly held in Sufi lodges on special days and nights, with active participation from the local population.
For centuries, the Bosniaks lived loyally under Ottoman rule and produced numerous statesmen. Recognized by Türkiye as a brotherly and friendly nation, the Bosniaks have suffered repeated massacres, genocides, and exiles, solely due to their Muslim identity, following the end of the Ottoman presence in the region. Today, in addition to Bosnia and Herzegovina, people of Bosniak descent also reside in countries such as Türkiye, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are approximately two thousand mosques, many of which date back to the Ottoman period. Notable among these are the Emperor’s Mosque and the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo, the Ferhat Pasha Mosque, Ali Pasha Mosque, the Ferhadija, Arnaudija, and Gazanferija Mosques in Banja Luka, the Fethija Mosque in Bihać, the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque in Mostar, the Sinan Pasha Mosque in Čajniče, and the Alaca Mosque in Travnik. These structures, restored and reconstructed in line with their original architecture over time, remain important and frequently visited places of worship. Many historic sites that were destroyed or damaged during the post-Ottoman period and particularly in the recent war have been renewed with support from both the local community and Türkiye. On May 7, 1993, the Ottoman-era Ferhadija and Arnaudija Mosques were completely demolished with mines, down to their foundations, leaving no trace. However, these mosques were reconstructed after the war and reopened for worship on subsequent May 7th dates, once again allowing the adhan to rise from their minarets. As a result, May 7 has been designated as “Mosque Day” in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Turkish institutions such as TİKA and the General Directorate of Foundations continue to carry out dedicated efforts to preserve and restore Ottoman heritage sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as they do in many other regions.
In this country where Muslims and Christians live side by side, the administration of Islamic affairs is overseen by an autonomous institution known as the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This organization operates through central, regional, and international branches, and its head holds the title “Raisu-l-ulama” (Grand Mufti). The Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina provides services both to the Muslim population living within the country and to the Bosniak diaspora abroad. Its central office includes departments for religious affairs, education, foreign relations, finance, and legal matters; offices for zakat, social services, and hajj-umrah; a Directorate of Waqfs; a media center; and a publishing house. The regional structure comprises nine mufti offices, one of which is dedicated to the military, and 92 Islamic Councils/ Head Imam’s Office (equivalent to district mufti offices) that operate under their jurisdiction. To serve Bosniaks living abroad, the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina has established the Muftis of the Bosniak Community in Europe, North America, and Australia. Additionally, as part of its historical legacy, the Mešihats (Islamic religious authorities) of Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia (Sandžak/Novi Pazar) are also affiliated with the Riyaset. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are religious educational institutions called madrasahs, which are equivalent to Imam-Khatib High Schools in Türkiye. These schools are located in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Travnik, Cazin, Visoko, Mostar, and Tuzla, and they are known for offering high-quality education in both religious and positive sciences, making them a preferred choice among Bosniaks. The oldest of these institutions is the Gazi Husrev Bey Madrasah, established in Sarajevo on January 8, 1537, during the governorship of the Ottoman Sanjak-bey Gazi Husrev Bey. This school has continued to function, including during the postOttoman and wartime periods, and celebrated its 488th anniversary in 2025. Additionally, Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to higher education institutions such as the Faculty of Islamic Studies in Sarajevo, the Islamic Pedagogical Faculty in Zenica, and the Islamic Pedagogical Faculty in Bihać, all of which offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
To support religious and charitable services for the brotherly people of Bosnia, the Office of the Religious Affairs Counsellor in Sarajevo was established in 2013 by the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Türkiye. Operating in collaboration with the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as with various foundations and associations, the Office of the Religious Affairs Counsellor carries out numerous activities across the country with the support of the Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation. Within this framework, the Office organizes and coordinates religious services, educational activities, publishing efforts, and humanitarian aid programs throughout the region. Each year during the month of Ramadan, religious officials from Türkiye are dispatched to various regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide services. At the International University of Sarajevo, where approximately one thousand Turkish students are enrolled, religious and spiritual guidance services are offered. Some programs produced by Diyanet TV are broadcast on local channels with Bosnian subtitles, and several publications by the Presidency of Religious Affairs, most notably Islam Through Hadiths, are being translated into Bosnian. To foster connection, mutual understanding, and shared historical awareness among the youth of both countries, exchange visits are regularly organized. During Ramadan, food packages and iftar meals are distributed, and on Eid al-Adha, sacrificial meat donations are delivered to Bosnian Muslims, representing the generosity and support of the esteemed Turkish nation.
