Islamic Community of Montenegro

The Islamic Community of Montenegro is an independent religious organization of Muslims in Montenegro, established as the Muftiate of Montenegro in 1878. The headquarters of the community is in Podgorica and the current leader, titled Reis, is Rifat Fejzić.

History

Montenegro, under Nicholas I, expanded its territories after the Montenegrin–Ottoman War of 1876–1878 and was internationally recognized in 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin as an independent nation. The newly acquired lands had a large Muslim population, and the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin guaranteed Muslims in Montenegro the freedom of religion and the right of religious endowment property. In 1878, with the approval of the Shaykh al-Islām, the first Mufti of Montenegro, Salih Efendi Huli, was chosen.

Structure

The Islamic Community is divided into 13 Councils of the Islamic Community: Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Dinoša, Gusinje, Ostros, Petnjica, Plav, Pljevlja, Rožaje, Tuzi, Ulcinj and Podgorica.