Naples, Italy – On Monday, December 2, 2024, the international conference titled "European Islam and Islam in Europe from the Perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina" was held at the University of Federico II in Naples.
The conference gathered distinguished scholars and institutional representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Prof. Dr. Ahmet Alibašić from the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Ehlimana Memišević and Senior Assistant Dr. Amila Svraka-Imamović from the Faculty of Law at the University of Sarajevo, as well as Mr. Sci. Amela Trako-Mahmutović from the Waqf Directorate of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, significant participation came from the Chief Imam of the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in Italy, Ahmet ef. Tabaković, along with Arnel Nasić and Nermin Fazlagić, representatives of the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in Italy.
The conference hosts, Prof. Dr. Maria D’Arienzo and Prof. Sandro Staiano, aimed to explore the role of Islam in Europe, with a particular focus on the contribution of the Bosniak community to shaping European Islam.
During the introductory speeches, the importance of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina was particularly emphasized. Prof. Dr. D’Arienzo recalled the historical milestone of 1912 when Austria-Hungary enacted the Islamgesetz law, officially recognizing Islam as a religion, with Bosnian Islam at the core of this legal framework.
- "Bosnian Islam, with its strong institutional structure and long tradition of dialogue, represents an exceptional model demonstrating how Islamic communities can successfully operate within the European socio-legal framework. This experience can serve as a guide for strengthening cooperation between European states and Islamic communities and facilitating Bosnia and Herzegovina’s integration into the European Union," noted Prof. D’Arienzo.
The conference reaffirmed the importance of intercultural dialogue and highlighted the unique contribution of Bosniaks in shaping European Islam.
