Bektashism as a model and metaphor of "Balkan Islam"

Abstract

This paper critically examines the intersection of Islam and the European Union's enlargement policies in the Balkans, focusing on the construction of a homogenized "Balkan Islam." Employing a decolonial framework, the study draws from Sirin Adlbi Sibai’s decolonial Islamic thought and Salman Sayyid’s critique of Eurocentric historiography. Through this approach, it interrogates how revived Islamic practices are framed within discourses portraying Bektashism and Balkan Islam as embodiments of tolerance aligned with European values, while depicting other Islamic revivals as external threats. Practical implications of the findings suggest that policies aiming to integrate Balkan Muslims into the EU framework must avoid perpetuating divisions within Muslim communities or isolating them from the global Muslim world. The study calls for inclusive approaches that recognize the diversity within Balkan Islam and its complex historical ties to broader Muslim identities. It further advocates for a shift in EU policies, moving away from framing Balkan Muslims as “model minorities” and instead fostering equal and equitable representation of diverse Islamic traditions in Europe.