Bosniak in Italy


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Bosniaks are an ethnic group living in the Southeastern part of Europe, mainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The earliest known inhabitants of the area now known as Bosnia and Herzegovina were the Illyrians, who spoke a language related to modern Albanian. The Romans conquered Illyria after a series of wars, and Latin-speaking settlers from all over the empire settled among the Illyrians. Bosnians have a long history of contact with Italy!In the Seventh Century, Slavs settled in Bosnia, Herzegovina, and the surrounding lands. In 1463 the Turkish Ottoman Empire conquest at that time the independent Bosnian kingdom and it was the beginning of the influence of Islamic Civilization in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although the Ottomans did not, as a rule, actively seek to convert their Christian subjects to Islam, it is thought that the greater rights afforded to Muslims in the Ottoman Empire motivated Christians to convert to Islam. Being part of Europe and influenced not only by the oriental but also by western culture, Bosniaks are considered to be some of the most advanced Islamic peoples of the world. The nation takes pride in the melancholic folk songs "sevdalinke", the precious medieval filigree manufactured by old Sarajevo craftsmen, and a wide array of traditional wisdoms that are carried down to newer generations by word of mouth, and in recent years written down in numerous books.


Where Are they Located?

Today many of the Bosniaks are war refugees in Western countries like Italy.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They still speak Bosnian and maintain a cultural and religious community and visit their mother country regularly. The Bosnians in Italy are well-integrated. They have a wide variety of jobs from domestic workers to mechanics to doctors.


Bosniaks have a low opinion of religion, so they seldom will listen to those who tell them about Jesus.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Bosniaks are Sunni Muslim, although historically Sufism has also played a significant role among them. For many Bosniaks, Islamic identity has more to do with cultural roots than with religious beliefs. Even among most religious Bosniaks, there is a disdain for religious leaders exercising any influence over day-to-day life. Bosniaks are no different than other Muslims in that they view Islam from the foundation that is their culture.


What Are Their Needs?

Bosnians are one of Europe's least evangelized peoples. This is also true in Italy. Prayer is the key to reaching them with the gospel, but they need loving ambassadors for Christ.


Prayer Points

Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of Bosnians toward Christ so that they will be receptive to His lordship and direction. Pray that God will grant wisdom and favor to the mission agencies that are currently working among Bosnians bringing them to faith and discipleship. Pray that those receiving and viewing the JESUS Film will come to faith in Christ and that they will share the DVD with others, leading to home fellowships among Bosnian families. Ask God to use the few known Bosnian believers in Italy as His ambassadors. Pray that God will meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of Bosnians. Ask the Lord to raise up a strong church planting movement among Bosnians in Italy.


Scripture Prayers for the Bosniak in Italy.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bosniak
People Name in Country Bosniak
Pronunciation BOZZ-nee-ak
Alternate Names Bosniac; Muslimani; Muslmani; Musselmani
Population this Country 28,000
Population all Countries 3,159,000
Total Countries 24
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 10953
ROP3 Code 101629
ROP25 Code 301389
ROP25 Name Bosniak
Country Italy
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Italy
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.05 %)
0.40 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.60 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bosnian (28,000 speakers)
Language Code bos   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bosnian (28,000 speakers)
Language Code bos   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bosnian
Photo Source Michał Huniewicz - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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