Urban Muslim identity in the Balkans can be characterized by longevity and endangeredness, tradition and change, and hope and despair – dichotomies starkly evident in the lives of Muslim women.

It is hard to generalize the urban experience in Southeast Europe, except to say people in Balkan cities like to claim urban status for themselves while “the villagers” are always someone other than one's own family. These claims to authenticity are often complicated by immigration patterns that favor urban areas; however, keeping in …