engleski

Different yet Similar: Croatian Experiance with the Integration of its Islamic Community into Society

Although Croatian Muslims (an ‘immigrant community of indigenous European origin’) make up only 1.5% of the country’s population, they are considered as an example of the most successful integration of Muslim minorities in Europe. The reason for that can be traced back to the late nineteenth century when Muslims first arrived in Croatia. The Croatian Parliament passed an Act on Recognition of Islam in 1916. As a result, Muslims were granted the right of public worship, as well as independence in religious, educational, and association matters. Legal protection was granted to religious officials, as well as to Islamic teachings, acts, and customs. Recognition of Islam meant that Muslims were entitled to the same rights as Croatian citizens. This was a legal basis for their inclusion in Croatian society as there were no more obstacles that prevented Muslims from settling permanently and gaining citizenship. The combination of this recognition of Islam with a modern constitutional and legal framework resulted in the treaty which confirmed the position of Islam and of the Muslim community (2002). According to the treaty, relations are specified in the area of child rearing, education, culture, pastoral care for believers in prisons, reform schools, hospitals, health institutions, and institutions for social welfare, as well as for believers who are members of the armed forces and police, with the intention of creating and maintaining better conditions for religious activity. One of the articles of the treaty refers to the institution of Shari’a marriage which was granted the status of a civil marriage. The experience of Croatian Muslims shows, according to their own words, that being a European citizen and a Muslim at the same time need not be a problem.

Muslims, Islamic Community, Croatia, inclusion, recognition of Islam

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