Get to know the Bosniak people in 4 parts - learn, see, act, pray!

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1 - Learn

The Bosniaks are the largest ethnic group in Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed shortly by Serbs and then Croats. Though the three groups are considered to share the same heritage, their religious origin has created cultural differences between them. Notably, the term ‘Muslim’ became not only a religious identifier, but also an ethnic one and was later replaced by the name ‘Bosniak’ to identify Bosnian Muslims.

Bosnia emerged as an independent state in the 12th century, seeing a period of prosperity during the Kotromanić dynasty. This was up until the 15th century, when the Ottoman empire conquered the region, ruling for a further 400+ years. It was during this period that Islam gradually spread into the region. 

In the 19th century, Bosnia and Herzegovina was ruled by Austria-Hungary. After World War I, it became part of Yugoslavia. When Yugoslavia broke apart, Bosnia and Herzegovina became an independent country. Unfortunately, this led to a period of intense war in the 1990s, where there were many acts of violence, including ethnic cleansing and genocide. The Bosniaks, a Muslim ethnic group, were the main victims. The war ended in 1995, and today, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country made up of many different ethnic groups, still working to heal and recover from the damage caused by the war.

Despite the constant conflicts, the Bosniaks are a welcoming group, placing great value on hospitality and developing strong family and community ties. Bosnian coffee, similar in style to Turkish coffee, plays a big part in communities, with coffeehouses being a central meeting place. The towns and villages are full of football pitches, like many European countries, and take pride in their traditional folk music, Sevdalinke (Sevdah music).

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2 - See

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3 - Act

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4 - Pray

• Pray for continued healing from the trauma of war and for reconciliation among the different ethnic groups.
• Ask for opportunities for the gospel to be shared in ways that resonate with their culture and history.
• Pray for blessings over Bosniak families and communities, that their hospitality, family bonds, and cultural traditions would be enriched by God’s presence.

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