HISTORICAL AND THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF MIGRATIONS FROM BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO ANATOLIA (1878-1918)
HISTORICAL AND THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF MIGRATIONS FROM BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO ANATOLIA (1878-1918)

Summary/Abstract: The conception of a migration (hijra) is one of the most important concepts, not merely because of the Islamic calendar but, because of the beginning of the Islamic culture and civilization as a whole. Although in the Islamic Tradition the conception of migration (hijra) has clear etymological meaning, migrations throughout the history have multiple meanings and interpretations and as such were differently assessed according to historical, cultural, legal and socio-political circumstances. Besides numerous historical, legal, security, economic and diplomatic implications, the Ottoman-Russian War (1877-1878) had accelerated furthermore the question of migrations within the Ottoman Empire. The question of migrations began to be addressed by both the Ottoman and the Balkans writers. Since the Ottoman Empire was strongly based on the religious authority, it is important to assess the religious authorities’ views on migrations. The earliest views on migrations from Bosnia to Anatolia were given by a mufti of Tuzla Mehmed Teufik Azapagić (1838-1918) in his Treatise (Risale fil-hidzre). He wrote this famous Treatise in 1884 in Arabic language. In 1886 abridged version of the Treatise was also published by Vatan newspaper in Turkish language. It is important to analyze why Azapagić argued that it was lawful for the Bosniaks to stay within the Austro-Hungarian Empire (dar alharb) and to what extent his Treatise was important in preventing migrations and depopulation of Bosnia as a result of different historical, legal and socio-political changes and transformations. An analysis and translation of the main parts of the Treatise could serve as a significant reflection and a comparison to present-day motives, causes and implications of migrations that have been taking place throughout the world.

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