The Islamization of significant parts of the Southeast European population of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th century represented a complex and momentous process. Importantly, this process developed differently in different regions and in different historical moments due to a plurality of motives and factors. It is important to note that notions of these motives and factors for the conversion of Christians in the region are usually referenced in the scientific research on the

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... n rule and its structural changes in the administration, law, taxation, and religious institutions. Other factors, which are not related to those of the organizational structure of the Ottoman Empire, are, however, only little or only partially treated and examined. This present work seeks to systematically describe these "transregional" and "external" factors and recognize their importance to the Islamization of the Southeast European population. Hence, the paper will offer a systematic summary and complimentary study of the theoretical and regional issues that pertain to the Islamization process in Southeast Europe. Finally, this paper will posit that, in terms of the above-mentioned transregional and external factors, there have been more and factors minor influences which together certainly determined the resulting Islamization of Southeastern Europe under the Ottomans. An interdisciplinary, trans-historical and cross-regional approach to researching the Islamization of Southeastern Europe is therefore worthwhile and requires an even more comprehensive and critical investigation of possible transregional and external factors and their importance.