SPECIALIZED RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS OF BOSNIAK INTELLECTUALS AND THE HERALDS THEY ISSUED DURING THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN PERIOD

Abstract

Formation of associations as a modern form of socio-political activism of Bosniak religious intellectuals has started in the beginning of the 20th century. Two associations were formed then, namely: The Muslim muallim and imam society for Bosnia and Herzegovina (1909) and The Ilmiyya organisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1912). Soon these two associations joined into one, named Ilmiyye Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina that is Jemmiyyeti Ilmiyye (2012). Bosniak intellectuals of the time proved to be very active, they tried to articulate their interests in a variety of ways, they went public with clear ideas concerning current religious, social, cultural and socio-political issues. These associations enjoyed significant support of Bosniac public. In other bigger cities affiliations of these associations were formed, and it is important to mention here that associations issued, mainly on regular bases their own heralds and gazettes: Muallim, Misbah i Yeni Misbah.