The Republic of Macedonia is located south of Serbia, east of Albania, north of Greece, and west of Bulgaria. The country covers an area of 25,173 square kilometers and shares a border with the autonomous province of Kosovo.
Macedonia was under Serbian rule until the 14th century when it was annexed by the Ottoman Empire. In the 19th century, during the wars between Tsarist Russia and the Ottomans, the region separated from Ottoman control. At the end of the same century, Bulgaria attempted to annex Macedonia, but the Congress of Berlin, convened to resolve the Balkan crisis in 1878, prevented this from happening.
In 1893, guerrilla organizations formed under the slogan “Macedonia for the Macedonians,” fighting fiercely against Bulgarian, Albanian, and Turkish claims. These conflicts continued until the wars of 1912-1913, eventually dividing Macedonia between Greece and Serbia, with a small eastern portion occupied by Bulgaria.
Islamic culture had a significant impact in areas of Macedonia closer to the center of the Ottoman Empire. This influence is visible in the markets and caravanserais of Skopje. Mixed Muslim and Christian communities exist in the cities, where Muslims often reside on one side of the river and Christians on the other.
One of the religious cities in Macedonia is Tetovo, where secular activities are rare; even alcoholic beverages are not found in its restaurants. Despite years of communist rule and Christian propaganda, Tetovo maintains a special significance for Muslims, featuring mosques and gatherings, as well as “Sama khana” for followers of Sufi sects.
Autonomous Province of Kosovo
The Autonomous Province of Kosovo, covering an area of 10,887 square kilometers, is located in the south of the former Yugoslav Federation and northwest of Macedonia. It borders Albania to the southwest and Montenegro to the west.
Historically, Kosovo was the center of the Serbian Empire in the Middle Ages. According to Albanian historians, this region separated from Albania in 1918 with the support of the Great Powers. In 1389, the Serbs suffered a severe defeat at the hands of Ottoman forces in the Battle of Kosovo. In 1946, Kosovo was recognized as a distinct cultural region, and in 1968, it became an autonomous state under changes to the Yugoslav constitution.
After World War II, Kosovo experienced significant economic and cultural development, enjoying relative peace during the Tito regime. However, peace dissipated after Tito’s death. In 1987, Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević adopted a stringent policy towards Kosovo. In 1990, the Serbs dissolved the government and parliament of Kosovo, leading to increased violence between the people of Kosovo and the Serbs.
In 1991, the people of Kosovo voted overwhelmingly (98%) in favor of independence in a turbulent referendum, but Serbia declared this referendum illegal and unconstitutional.
Although Kosovo was the smallest and poorest state within the Yugoslav federation, it was closely related to Albania in ethnicity and language, with 75% of its population being Muslim. The Yugoslav constitution adopted in 1974 granted Kosovo internal autonomy, allowing local associations to govern its affairs. However, in 1989, the Serbs occupied Pristina (the capital of Kosovo) without regard for the popular vote and declared the state an integral part of Serbian territory.
The people of Kosovo identify ethnically with Albania and Macedonia, and culturally and religiously as part of the broader Islamic nation of Europe. This region was under Muslim rule for over seven centuries.
The Islamic organization in Kosovo is referred to as “Masjid,” and Sufi sects are active there, with Pristina and Prizren being particularly important cities.
Unfortunately, the Muslim population in Kosovo suffers from adverse conditions, facing violations of their basic rights and exclusion from administrative affairs. The army and police are largely controlled by the Serbian minority, and Serbian specialists dominate educational institutions and hospitals.
Sanjak Province
The Sanjak Province is split between the two republics of Serbia and Montenegro and also borders Bosnia and Herzegovina. This region has a population of approximately half a million, 70% of whom are Muslims. Most residents of Sanjak are of Bosnian ethnicity, and this area was previously part of Bosnian territory that was separated during conflicts.
The Muslims of Sanjak enjoy considerable unity and cohesion. They have formed an Islamic Assembly, electing representatives from different cities into a parliamentary structure. However, the people of Sanjak endure severe pressures from the Serbs.
Greece
The Republic of Greece, covering an area of 131,957 square kilometers, is located in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. This mountainous country consists of a peninsula and several islands separated from Turkey by the Aegean Sea. Greece has a mountainous Mediterranean climate, with Athens serving as its capital. The country consists of 53 regions, and 96 percent of its population is of Greek origin, while the remainder is Turkic, Slavic, Albanian, and Bulgarian. The official language is Greek, and the majority of the population is Orthodox Christian.
Western scholars have acknowledged the role of Muslims in bolstering Greek science. In Volume 11 of ‘The History of Civilization,’ Will Durant remarked, “Arab (Muslim) scholars preserved and perfected Greek mathematics, physics, chemistry, geometry, and medicine, transmitting the rich heritage of Greece to Europe.” Dr. Max Meyerhof noted, “When the Greek heyday ended, Muslim science illuminated the darkest nights of the Middle Ages like a bright moon.”
In the 4th century AD, Greece was part of the Byzantine Empire, ruled by 80 emperors until the mid-15th century. From the mid-7th century onward, parts of Greece were invaded by Muslims, and with the collapse of the Byzantine Empire, the territory came under Ottoman control until the 19th century.
The Greeks enjoyed religious freedom, and Ottoman protection of their lives and property made them prefer Ottoman rule over corrupt Christian rulers. Economic pressures, heavy taxes, and the feudal system prevalent in Greek society compelled many to join the Ottoman army, leading to warm welcomes for the Ottoman forces in certain regions.
During Ottoman rule, revolts broke out in Greece, the bloodiest being in 1770. Eventually, with the intervention of France, England, and Russia, Greece gained independence from Ottoman rule in 1832, establishing a monarchy.
Since the 19th century, the Greek government’s treatment of Muslims has been poor. In 1828, Muslims represented 35 percent of the Greek population, but this figure has gradually dwindled to less than 1 percent due to repression and violence, particularly targeting Muslims of Albanian origin.
Today, Muslims make up about 3 percent of Greece’s 10 million population, mainly of Bulgarian and Turkish descent. These Muslims primarily inhabit the eastern and northern regions of Greece, near the borders of Bulgaria, Albania, and the former Yugoslavia.
Since 1932, Greek Muslims have sought to consolidate their organization by forming the “Union of the Islamic Assembly.” However, they continue to experience significant pressure from the central government, enduring hardships. Meanwhile, among the 700,000 people of Cyprus, approximately 200,000 are Muslims, though 75% of the population was Muslim according to the 1790 census. During British colonial rule, the demographic makeup of the island altered significantly.
The Turkish intervention in 1974 reignited hope for the Muslims of Cyprus, resulting in 34% of the island falling under Muslim control.
