Seminar held - İstimalet and Tolerance policy of the Ottoman Empire

Another module of lectures at the Balkan Youth School was held by Dr. Sci. Sedad Bešlija from the Institute of History of University of Sarajevo on 14 March 2021. Dr. Bešlija thought a module titled: “İstimalet and Tolerance policy of the Ottoman Empire”.

Dr. Bešlija explained the essence of İstimalet – a political approach that was popular within Ottoman Empire, and emphasized core elements of it, such us loyalty and getting affection rather than use of force to make locals do what they otherwise would not. As a historian, Dr. Bešlija offered to participants very efficient historical background and some arguments and counterarguments for narratives which are popular in public discourse today.

In the half of the seminar, the participants had opportunity to learn about Ahdname (Bill of Oath which was a very popular concept within Ottoman Empire). Dr. Bešlija explained the meaning and role of Ahdname from historical and religious perspective, and also in the context of Western Europe, Bosnia, and Ottoman Empire. The seminar ended with a comparative overview of Ahdname with similar concepts in different civilizations and geographical areas.

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The Balkan Youth School is an educational platform in the humanities, social and religious sciences. The study program is organized through modules, providing basic knowledge of history, human rights, international relations, political theories and issues, socio-political and religious issues, Ottoman history, arts and architecture, genocide studies, leadership and political thought.

The project is being implemented by the Balkan Studies Center of the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) and supported by The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB).