Bosniaks of Montenegro


Bosniaks are an ethnic minority in Montenegro, first introduced in the 2003 census. According to the last census from 2023, the total number of Bosniaks in Montenegro was 58,956 or 9.45% of the population. Bosniaks are the third largest ethnic group in the country, after Montenegrins and Serbs.

Demographics

Bosniaks primarily live in the Sandžak area of northern Montenegro, and form the majority of the population in four municipalities: Rožaje, Petnjica, Plav and Gusinje.

Politics

The majority of Bosniaks of Montenegro were in favor of Montenegrin independence during the independence referendum in 2006.

Dialect

The Bosnian dialects of Gusinje and Plav show a very high structural influence from Albanian. Its uniqueness in terms of language contact between Albanian and Bosnian is explained by the fact that most Bosnian speakers there are of Albanian origin.

Religion

Today, the majority of Bosniaks are predominantly Sunni Muslim and adhere to the Hanafi school of thought/jurisprudence, the largest and oldest school of jurisprudence within Sunni Islam.

Notable people

Notable Bosniaks from Montenegro, past and present, include:

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