Page 1 of 9

Reality of Interreligious Dialogue:

Bosnian Muslim Experience and

Perpective

Dr. Aid Smajić Faculty of Islamic Studies

University of Sarajevo

October 21, 2023

1

Page 2 of 9

Broader Context and Introductory Remarks

 Centuries of coexistence between religious communities with

changing domination of one over political dominion

 Demise of Communism and social revitalization of religion in

1990s

 History of recent war and agression against internationally

recognized Bosnian state

 Overlapping of religious and ethnic identities in Bosnia

 Orthodox = ethnic Serbs

 Catholics = ethnic Croat

 Muslims = ethnic Bosniaks

 “Religion is indeed powerful medicine. It should be used

carefully and deliberately” (Scott Appleby, 2001)

 High social expectations towards religious organizations

2

Page 3 of 9

Reality of Interreligious Dialogue (IRD): Bosnian

Muslim Experience and Perspective

 Islamic understanding of interfaith coexistence and dialogue:

level of „explicit religion“

 How we “should”: Normative approach (T.S. Elliot, asma’ al-husna)

 What do we do as the Faculty and Islamic Community in Bosnia

in the context of interfaith dialogue: level of „discoursive

religion“

 Preparation of students, etc...

 How these issues are practised in Bosnia: level of „implicit

religion“

 Religiosity and ethno-religious tolerance in Bosnia

 Bosnian lessons for interreligious dialogue

3