The Bosnian professor comes from a culture in which Muslims, Jews and Christians traditionally live together as good neighbors. Despite the experiences from the Balkan conflict, the peaceful interaction of different religions is part of the Koranic studies professor's everyday life. For that reason, Enes Karić is strongly promoting a domestic Islamic culture in Germany as well. As an optimist, researcher and former politician, he sees religious and cultural diversity primarily as a great enrichment from which all can benefit.
Karić: "Germany needs a domestic Islamic culture"
Prof. Enes Karić
Professor Karić, what was it in particular that prompted you to accept the position as guest professor in Munich?
Karić: When I received the invitation, I thought about how tired everyone is of hearing about Islam, terrorism and fundamentalism. I saw my task as conveying the significance of the Koran, our culture and religion as we practice it every day in Bosnia. I presented my idea to the University of Munich and it was accepted.
What is special about the way Islam is practiced in Bosnia?
Karić: In Bosnia we have a blend of European and Islamic culture. The Ottoman Empire collapsed, but Islam stayed.
What is the percentage of Muslims in Bosnia?
Karić: We have 17 percent Catholics, 44 percent Muslims and 33 percent Orthodox; the remaining 6 percent is broken down among other religious groups such as Jews and Protestants.
How did the different cultures and religions get along together in the past?
Karić: We had very long periods of peace in Bosnia lasting for centuries. There was no separation between the different religions – only peace and good neighborliness. Bosnia was primarily always one society – a citizenry in which people were close to one another.
During the Bosnian war, you were Minister for Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. What appeals to you more – working as a politician or as a university professor?
Karić: I have always preferred my activity as a university professor. At that time, I saw it as my duty for my homeland to assume a political function. I have not held political office since 1996.
In your opinion, when did Islam become reestablished in Bosnia in this century?
Karić: After 1945, in the first hard years under the communist Soviet regime, uncounted numbers of religious people were arrested over a ten-year period. Under Tito, the situation for the religions improved somewhat. In 1977, the first faculty for Islamic culture was opened.
For many decades in this century, the Bosnian Muslims simply had to struggle for their survival. But we are optimists. We have no interest in a caliph or an Ottoman ruler – we only want to live.
What are your expectations and goals as guest professor in Munich?
Karić: I would like to get to know the university here from the inside, but I would also like to learn how Muslims live here. I have already visited a Turkish and a Bosnian mosque. I think Germany needs a domestic Islamic culture – including for example a local Islamic university over the long-term. We need more integration projects – according to the principle that I give you something, and you give me something in return.I see my goal, or rather my responsibility, is to help Islam to become a little bit better understood.
How can you as a guest professor foster improvements or changes?
Karić: I would like to explain what part of Islam has survived after all the storms in the Balkan countries. What are the reasons for the survival of culture, religion and civilization? I would like to present the values of Islam.
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