Science Religion and Lunch Seminars
ISLAM IN BALKAN CULTURE
Science, Religion, and Lunch Seminar
March 25, 2008
Dr. John K. Cox (NDSU, History) john.cox.1@ndsu.edu
I) Goals of this talk:
| to introduce basic information and perspectives on the Muslims of Southeast Europe, including points that neutralize stereotypes and provide a basis for comparison to other Muslim communities of Europe; |
|
to advance the thesis that Islam is a part of the European heritage, just as the Balkans count as "real Europe" as a whole; |
to give you some food for thought on future developments in the region. |
II) Definitions
III) The demographic landscape of Croatia and points south
| A) Balkan states with significant autochthonous Muslim populations: Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey |
| B) The indigenous groups: Gegs and Tosks (Sunni and Bektashi), Chams, Bosniaks, Kosovars, Ashkali, Goranci, "Egyptians," Pomaks, Torbeši, Sandžaklije, Turks and "Turks" |
| C) Balkan states with other demographic situations Croatia, Greece, Romania, Montenegro |
IV) Ottoman-era conversions to Islam: overwhelmingly peaceful and voluntary
| A) myths |
| B) the reality of feudalism and economic opportunism |
| C) other factors: organization, local rivalries |
V) Chief characteristics of the Muslim communities today
| A) cosmopolitanism, secularism, apolitical attitudes, and the causes of them |
| B) "sub-assimilation" |
C) hints of material and spiritual revival |
VI) Three interesting trends to watch
A) Euro-Islam? Pluralism or democracy? |
B) Future EU expansion: built on regions? |
C) The role of a non-EU Turkey in the Balkans |