June 15, 2018 - Balkan campaigns of the old Ottoman empire left their mark on the life of the local people. Linguistic origins, traditional dishes, melodies and even morning coffee habits were inherited by Balkan people from their Southern conquerors. Today, the Muslim population in Montenegro is unofficially over 8%. Most of the Muslim families come from the area of Ulcinj, Bijelo Polje, Berane and Pljevlja giving the proud example of religious tolerance and cultural co-existence in the piece.
Husein Pasa mosque in Pljevlja
Today, a great holiday is celebrated by the Islamic world. The End of Ramadan (a month of fasting) is called “Ramazanski Bajram” here and is celebrated with family, neighbors, and friends. In the morning, men go to the mosque (or dzamija) to pray and visit the cemetery while women prepare dinner and decorate the houses. It is believed that on this festive day, there must be no bad thoughts, no bad words, and deeds. Guests who open the doors of a Muslim’s home are offered rich dining including traditional burek and sarma as well as sweet baklava.
Ramadan is the month of self-concentration and self-enhancement as well as goodwill and charity. On the holiday occasion, the RTC (Rozaje Trading Center), the biggest shopping mall in the Northern region of the country, delivered 100 food gift boxes to the poorest families of Rozaje.
The head of the Islamic Community in Montenegro, Rifat Fejzic, pointed out in his greeting message: “The coexistence of diversity in our country encourages us to withstand serious contemporary civilizational challenges. This optimistic message is brought to us by the Bajram days."
For the Muslim holiday, Prime Minister Dusko Markovic noticed that Montenegro has long built its civilization perspective on the affirmation of multinational and multi-religious harmony as one of the basic values of Montenegrin society.
