The Balkan Islam in the context of continuity and change: a study on Aliya Izzetbegovic

The purpose of this study is to determine the point of view of Aliya İzzetbegoviç, who posits a place in the twentieth century Bosnia-Herzegovinia history as an intellectual and political fıgure, towards Islam and Muslims in the context of change and continuity. In this framework, we aim to find out how he contributed to the formation process of Islamic Order and contemporary Muslim identity by looking at his works. Data for this study which was designed as a qualitative research was compiled of his works in addition to works written about him. Data were analysed with the help of hermeneutic analysis in line with interpretive tradition. In this process, "Social Identity Theory" and "Realistic Conflict Theory" were made use of. The study, along with an introduction, comprises of chapters called "Theoretical and Historical Framework", "The Life and Works of Izzetbegoviç", and "The Individual, Society, and Religion in Izzetbegoviç". The analysis of Bosnian-Herzegovinian historical adventure is especially functional in an effort to comprehend the ethnical and religious fights there. According to the results of the analysis, the factors that make up of and form the mental world of Izzetbegoviç are sufficient to explain his efforts to rebuild both the concepts of Islamic society and Islamic order, and the Muslim awareness. Izzetbegoviç places great significance on the unity of the World and the afterlife, science and religion, physics and metaphysics, civilization and culture, the human soul and the flesh, and the form and essence, over an Islamic consciousness based on oneness. He thinks that for the Muslim society to live without losing its religious-social identities, a third path is needed to open which integrates the essence of Islam (continuity) and the demands of the modern World that are not against this essence. Keywords: Aliya İzzetbegoviç, Islam, Balkan Islam, Religion, Piety, Civilization.