Predominantly Muslim Kosovo seeks independence from Serbia

Salaams





Background:
This area is known to be inhabited by the ethnicity of "slavs". Most of the populace here, were pagans before the Byzantine Empire & Crusades. These two elements had Christianizes them "somewhat." However the influence of the Catholic & Orthodox church weakened over time when the Byzantine Empire collapsed, due to the rising Ottoman Caliphate.

However with the decisive battle of Battle of Kosovo Polje in 1389, by the Ottomans; Christianity had fallen in these main areas : Bosnia, Albania, and Kosovo. From 1389 to 1912, many of the inhabitants had converted to Islam. .Unfortunately the Ottoman empire was losing control in the area by the early 1900's. Serbia exploiting the situation, took control of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia. Hence, the Unified country based on secularism was now Yugoslavia. Sometime later the Country had become Communist for many decades, thus suppressing much of the religious adherents, including Muslims. Not untill 1991 was there a desire to gain independence from Serbia. (Especially when all the other previously occupied states had their independence, some even after wars).


Today's Situation: Although Kosovo is seeking independence, Serbia still has authority in the area, because of foreign support from Russia. While on the hand the U.S. supports Kosovo's view. Some speculate U.S. is hoping to clear it's "image" throughout the Islamic World, by proving they support the Kosovan cause. The American mandate was over on December 10, 2007 and was decided that in the Early Spring of 2008 or February, that Kosovo would declare Independence. The Nations of France, U.S., and Britain are likely to be the first to recognize Kosovo's independence. Yet, there is much opposition from Russia and Serbia, which may reconsider the decision. Some fear it may even unite with Albania, for both areas have a common identity of Faith & ethnicity.

General Information:

-->90-95% of Kosovo are adherents of Islam
(the rest are assumed to adhere to christianity)

-->92% Albanian, 4% Serb, 2% Bosniak & Gorans, 1% Roma, 1% Turk

--> Current Population : 2.2 Million

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Article derived from wikipedia, with slight modifications

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There is an interesting article on the status of Islam in Kosovo:
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/43/story_4303.html

In the article the statistic of 70% is incorrect. According to offcial figures some say 90%-95%, Thank you.

So what happens if they unite with Albania? Apologies, im clueless bout this area of the world

Assalamulaykum,

If they do unite... people will be Islamophobic...As in to the Secular Europeans, they will think that a large Muslim Nation in the Balkans would threat Europe's secular culture.

Also this is taking place in the Balkans, which has the "well-known" country of "Greece."

Assalamulaykum,

That happened in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Thousands of Bosniaks (Muslims) were executed and shot to death by Serbian Orthodox Christian soldiers and Generals. However that effect never reached Kosovo...

That is why today, in Bosnia only 60% are Muslim, however in the end it did get its independence from Serbia.
In Albania, it is 90% Muslim, and in Kosovo, it is 90-95% Muslim

Assalamulaykum,

Initially Christianity was not strong in the countries of Bosnia, Macedonia, and Bulgaria. In fact, contrary to popular belief, most Slavic people were practising Paganism. Christianity only had a special status in Serbia, Greece, and Croatia. So when the Ottomans invaded and introduced Islam it was sometime new and hence a lot of people converted. However after many untold genocides and communist regimes, Muslims have suffered in the Balkans.
In the late 1800's, Muslims had comprised 40% of Bulgaria's population. However, today it is only 13%.

Also another reason is because the rulers of Yugoslavia, were Serbs. So when Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Montenegro declared independence, the Serbians felt they were losing control and territory. Now Serbia is a tiny country and with Kosovo breaking away, maybe Vojvodina may too want independence. However, I highly doubt that.

So basically the Serbian Orthdox Christians are upset, for they want to keep their rule over the muslim states of Bosnia and Kosovo, because one has an outlet to the Adriatic Sea, while the other one may have precious natural resources.