OSMAN-KAPETAN’S MADRASA AND IT’S SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE QADILUK GRAČANICA IN 1800 TO 1945

Abstract

UDK 373.5.014.521:28(497.6 Gračanica)”1800/1945”

Osman-kapetan’s Madrasa had been functional in Gračanaca in different forms in the throughout from 1800 to 1945. This madrasa was the main religious educational institution of this area. It was an institution that educated a great number of students and was the local centre of religion and culture. It was founded by Osman- kapetan Gradaščević, father of well-known Hussain – kapetan Gradaščević. Osman-kapetan left a significant endowment that secured functioning of this madrasa until the day it was closed. Osman – kapetan’s madrasa shared the faith of all the madrasa’s in Bosnia and Herzegovina of that time. All the reforms that were carried out in all the other madrasa also took place in Osman –kapetan’s madrasa. Reforms were aiming to improve the standards of learning and teaching following the contemporary trends in education. Students of madrasa were prepared for religious service as imams or mua’llims. The education of graduates from this madrasa was of high standards and they were competent to continue their studies at the higher educational institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Istambul. A great number of it’s graduates were employed as mudarris, qadies, muftis, Sharia judges, and some were engaged in craftsmanship or agriculture. Many of these came to be very prominent muderris (lecturers), but all have left a lasting trace upon the work of this institution. Respecting the sanctity and the authority of a teacher’s vocation they worked hard and endeavoured to offer the high quality knowledge enabling their students for religious service and further education. Madrasa in Gračanica had fulfilled the aim and the goal that were set by its founder and waqif. It is a symbol and pride of the entire area.