Remaking Muslim Lives: Everyday Islam in Postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina

The violent disintegration of Yugoslavia and the collapse of socialism have caused Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina to reconfigure their religious lives and societal values. David Henig's book, Remaking Muslim Lives, examines the historical, social, and emotional labor undertaken by people to live in an unfinished past and how this shapes the present. It offers a rare sustained look at what it means to be Muslim and live a Muslim life in contemporary Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2020
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

The violent disintegration of Yugoslavia and the cultural and economic dispossession caused by the collapse of socialism continue to force Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina to reconfigure their religious lives and societal values. Drawing on a decade of fieldwork, David Henig examines the historical, social, and emotional labor undertaken by people to live in an unfinished past, and how this shapes the present. In particular, Henig questions how contemporary religious imagination, experience, and practice infuse and interact with social forms like family and neighborhood, as well as with the legacies of past ruptures and critical events. His observations and analysis go to the heart of how societal and historical entanglements shape, fracture, and reconfigure religious convictions and conduct.

Provocative and laden with eyewitness detail, Remaking Muslim Lives offers a rare sustained look at what it means to be Muslim and live a Muslim life in contemporary Bosnia and Herzegovina. The book explores the complex and multifaceted ways in which Muslims navigate the challenges of post-socialist society, including economic instability, social marginalization, and political polarization. Henig highlights the resilience and creativity of Muslim communities in adapting to these circumstances, as well as the ways in which they seek to preserve their cultural and religious heritage.

Through a series of case studies, Henig examines the various ways in which Muslims express their religious identity and practice their faith. He explores the role of religious leaders, mosques, and community organizations in fostering a sense of belonging and providing social support. He also examines the challenges faced by young Muslims who are trying to reconcile their religious beliefs with the demands of modern society.

Remaking Muslim Lives is a valuable contribution to the study of religion, society, and culture in post-socialist Europe. Henig's nuanced and empathetic approach to his subject matter offers a fresh perspective on the complex and often challenging lives of Muslims in this region. The book will be of interest to scholars, students, and policymakers alike, as it provides valuable insights into the ongoing struggles and adaptations of Muslim communities in the post-socialist world.

Weight: 334g
Dimension: 151 x 227 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252085215