Montenegro

Islam in Montenegro is the second-largest religion after Eastern Orthodox Christianity and has a deep historical presence, especially in certain regions.

1. Population & Demographics
About 20% of Montenegro’s population identifies as Muslim (around 120,000 people).

Muslims in Montenegro are mostly:

  • Bosniaks (the largest Muslim ethnic group)
  • Albanians
  • Slavic Muslims (known as “Muslimani”)
  • A few Roma Muslims.

Muslims are concentrated in the northern region (Sandžak), the coastal areas (Ulcinj, Bar), and the capital Podgorica.

2. History of Islam in Montenegro

  • Islam came to this region with the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.
  • Under Ottoman rule, many locals (especially in Sandžak and the southern coast) converted to Islam.
  • After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Muslims remained an important minority under Yugoslav rule, and later, in independent Montenegro (2006).

3. Religious Practices & Institutions

  • Most Montenegrin Muslims follow Sunni Islam (Hanafi school). Sufism (particularly Naqshbandi and Qadiri orders) has historical roots but is less active today.
  • The official body representing Muslims is the Islamic Community of Montenegro.
  • There are over 100 mosques in the country.
  • The most famous is the Hussein Pasha Mosque in Pljevlja (built in the 16th century).
  • Other notable mosques are in Ulcinj, Rozaje, Bar, and Podgorica.

4. Islam in Public Life
Islam is officially recognized, and Muslims have the right to:

  • Islamic religious education in schools (where sufficient Muslim students exist),
  • Celebrate Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official public holidays for Muslims,
  • Access halal food, Islamic burial grounds, and religious marriage services.

Muslims are active in politics, including Bosniak and Albanian minority parties.

5. Social Integration & Challenges

  • Muslims are generally well integrated into Montenegrin society.
  • Interfaith relations between Muslims and Orthodox Christians are mostly peaceful.
  • Some tensions arise occasionally in ethnic or political contexts, particularly related to Albanian or Bosniak identity, but these are rare.
  • Islamic revival efforts since the 1990s have included mosque restoration, religious education expansion, and cultural events.

6. Cultural Influence

  • Islam has influenced Montenegrin architecture, cuisine, and music, especially in Muslim-majority towns.
  • Cities like Ulcinj on the coast have a distinct Islamic flavor, reflecting centuries of Ottoman presence.

Summary:
Islam in Montenegro is a historic and vibrant minority faith, with strong roots in the Ottoman past and modern political recognition. Muslims are culturally and socially active, with peaceful coexistence and official rights protected under Montenegrin law.

Montenegro
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .me
Country Code: +382