External Influences and Religious Paticularism in the Balkans: the “Bulgarian Case”

Abstract

The article examines some of the contemporary external factors and processes influencing religious identity of all Bulgarian citizens who profess Islam (referred to as Bulgarian Muslims in the text). It analyzes the degree of religiousness of the Muslims in Bulgaria, tracing out the major characteristics and leading tendencies of this community. The article studies the strategic potential and foreign policy possibilities by which Turkey is capable of building up a prestige and trust within the Muslim community in Bulgaria. It analyzes some specific Turkish policies for “export” of religiousness towards Muslims in Bulgaria. Keywords: Bulgarian Muslims, religious afiliation, external influences, Turkey JEL: Z12, N34, F54