Bosniaks are an ethnic minority in Montenegro, first introduced in the 2003 census. According to the last census from 2011, the total number of Bosniaks in Montenegro was 53,605 or 8.6% of the population. Bosniaks are the third largest ethnic group in the country, after Montenegrins and Serbs.
Demographics
Share of Bosniaks in Montenegro by settlements 2003.Bosniaks of Serbia and Montenegro within the divided Sandžak region (dashed red line).
Bosniaks primarily live in the Sandžak area of northern Montenegro, and form the majority of the population in four municipalities: Rožaje (83.91%), Petnjica (83.02%), Plav (56%) and Gusinje (42.64%).
Majority of Bosniaks of Montenegro were in favor of Montenegrin independence during independence referendum in 2006.
Dialect
The Slavic dialect of Gusinje and Plav shows very high structural influence from Albanian. Its uniqueness in terms of language contact between Albanian and Slavic is explained by the fact that most Slavic-speakers there are of Albanian origin.[2]
Religion
Today, the majority of Bosniaks are predominantly Sunni Muslim and adhere to the Hanafi school of thought, or law, the largest and oldest school of Islamic law in jurisprudence within Sunni Islam.
Notable people
Notable Bosniaks from Montenegro, past and present, include:
