Conversions to Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina and connections of converts with their Christian family, from the Ottoman conquest to the end of the 17th century

Abstract

Based on the available documents, the author has analysed the connections between
converts to Islam and the Christian part of their families, and the way in which the conversions
influenced the lives of converts and their Christian relatives. Adopting another
religion did not mean abandoning the old habits and Christian traditions. Regardless
of the change of religion and the new religious practices they had to follow, there were
those who continued living in accordance with the Christian tradition. The converts’
contacts with their Christian families contributed to that considerably. The diff erence
in name and religion did not break family ties even when families were separated.