Gazi Husrev - bey's hanikah in Sarajevo
Abstract
On the basis of historical sources and literature the author exposes all available data about this institution (its foundation, development and mission) and discusses its importance in terms of history, religion and culture. He also mentions other Hanikahs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After the general explanations about the institution of hanikah the author presents some of its historical phenomena and especially its congregational characteristics as a sufi-center that developped in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the 16th century. Gazi Husrev-bey's hanikah, founded before the end of 938/1531 as can be seen from the Waqfnama then issued, together with the mosque and Kuršumli-Medres (also founded by Gazi Husrevbey) was the urban center of the old part of Sarajevo. As an educational and sufi-centre the hanikah was an institution where, during the five centuries, many sheiks and scholars were educated. Some of them were very prominent people in the political and cultural life of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It's interesting to note that, although it had been regulated by Waqfnama that the chiefs of hanikah would be sheiks of Halvetian dervish order, in the middle of 19 th century the chiefs were sheiks of Nakshibendian mystic school.
