Bosnia and Herzegovina - Fundamentalism and Terrorism: Reality and Stereotypes

Abstract

Bosnia and Herzegovina, as one of the few European transitional countries, is the subject of very superficial observations, especially those focusing on security risks. The problem of terrorism has a central place in those observations. This paper describes stereotypes about religious fundamentalism and terrorism held by the public in Bosnia and stereotypes about Bosnia in other countries. One of the questions the author is trying to answer is whether Bosnia and Herzegovina is, to a lesser or greater extent, a generator of risks for terrorists' activities on the micro and macro levels. Second, is the BH territory (space) sui generis ground for production and development of rigid fundamentalism as an ideological basis for terrorism? Is it plausible to argue that there is a natural nexus between BH and so-called White Al-Qaeda? To date majority interpretation of such questions have reinforced stereotypes about Islam and terrorism. The author of this article argues that challenging such stereotypes will increase our understanding of Bosnia and improve the security situation.