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You are here: Home >> Politics >> Two parallel Islamic Communities in Serbia. By Muhamed Jusić

17.11.2008 Two parallel Islamic Communities in Serbia. By Muhamed Jusić

The danger of politicization of religion

(gm). The split within Islamic community in Serbia, especially in its Sandzak province, is creating a lot of turbulence in this already unstable part of Europe, and even leading to violence that for the first time in the latest history of the region is not over ethnical lines. It seems that conflict is not driven by pure animosity between religious leaders and their struggle for leadership of Slavic Muslims, mostly Bosniaks and other Muslim minorities living in this former Yugoslav republic. Even so, these personal reasons are very important for understanding the whole situation in and around IC in Serbia. It seems that problem of division has much deeper roots in political, national and religious open questions which are to be solved as a part of final process of dissolution of former Yugoslavia.

After the law defining the position of Churches and Religious Communities in Serbia was adopted in Serbian Assembly in 2006, stating that only one traditional Islamic Community can be registered in Serbia, the race for state recognition among two parallel communities began.

On 19th February 2007, Belgrade Mufti Hamdija Jusufspahic appointed himself as the Reisul -Ulama of the Islamic Community of Serbia. Since Rais-ul-Ulama is higher position in Islamic hierarchy then Mufti he thought that by seizing that titular for himself he is forcing state to recognize him as highest authority among Muslims or is at least strengthening his position in negotiations with Mesihat of IC in Sandzak. On the other hand, with his self proclamation as Rais-ul-Ulama he created a benchmark defying the position held by representatives from Mesihat in Sandzak by which there can only be one Rais-ul-Ulama among Bosniaks and that his residence is in Sarajevo.

Jusufspahic`s self proclamation as Rais-ul-Ulama was accepted with laughter in Sandzak and as nothing more then an attempt by Belgrade Mufti to “create family business out of Islam”.

Muamer ef. Zukorlic assessed that setting up of the Rijaset, or Presidency, of the Islamic Community in Serbia, headed, until that moment, by Belgrade Mufti, Hamdija Jusufspahic, was only a “family initiative” and a “family move”. Zukorlic considered that Jusufspahic and his group could be anything but the Islamic Community in Serbia, because they do not have legitimacy or international recognition, nor control over mosques in Serbia- especially not Sandzak.

The response from Mesihat of IC in Serbia and Mufti Zukorlic came soon. On 27th March 2007, Unifying Congress (Sabor) has been held in Novi Pazar during which IC in Serbia has been created as one unified organization of all Muslims who live in Serbia. The same Congress decided that the IC in Serbia will be composed out of four Muftiluks (Mufti districts).

Congress was attended by ethnic Bosniaks, Albanians and Roma Muslims from various parts of Serbia, among which were the representatives from cities of Zrenjanin, Subotica, Beocin, Novi Sad, Kostolca, Krupnja, Loznica, Smederevo, Nis, Zemun, Medveda, Bujanovac and Presevo. Delegates from areas covered by Muftis from Sandzak, Belgrade, Presevo and Novi Pazar were also there.

Large number of guests attended the gathering, but probably the most important were: Reisul- Ulema of IC in B&H Dr. Mustafa-ef. Ceric, as well as Reisul- Ulemas from Macedonia and Montenegro; Sulejman-ef.Rezepi and Rifat-ef. Fejzic, representatives from IC in Kosovo, president of Turkish Islamic Community of the National Vision Milli Gorus (IGMG)- Javuz Celik Karahan, and many other distinguished invitees. The Congress adopted the New Constitution of the Islamic Community and elected 54 delegates in newly constituted Sabor (Council, assembly or congressional body), as well as members of new Mesihat. Sandzak`s Mufti Muamer Zukorlic has been elected as the Chief Mufti and the Chairman of the Meshihat for a period of one year (until the next elections). Hajrudin Tudic has been appointed as the President of Sabor, Zekir Zija and Fikret Nimani as his deputies.

According to Juan Carlos Antunez, International Civil Consultant at EUFOR Headquarter in Sarajevo: “Jusufspahic’s move, likely supported by some Belgrade political circles, to break ties with Sarajevo and to set up an entire Serbia’s independent Islamic Community failed. The reaction led, at least publicly, by Muamer Zukorlic, obtained the support of an important part of the Serbian Muslims and, although the Mufti of Islamic Community of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, Dzemaledin Hasani, refused his authority, Zukorlic was considers by some analysts the future “nominal” leader of the majority of the Serbian Muslims. Serbian Government had the right to decide whether to grant an approval to the “Zukorlic’s Serbian Islamic Community” or not. A refusal could raise Sandzak’s pro-Bosnian feelings. The approval could mean that Mustafa Ceric, who is the spiritual leader not only for the Muslims in B&H, but also for Muslims of Croatia, Slovenia, Sandzak, and the Diasporas in the Western Europe, USA and Australia, and also is Zukorlic’s hierarchical superior, might be the “real” leader of the majority of the Serbian Muslims.”

Idea that Zukorlic could become sovereign religious representative of all Muslim in Serbia, and that IC in Serbia would be an integral part of large Islamic Community controlled from Sarajevo, did not sound so good to Serbian nationalists in Belgrade. It sounded like worst nightmare scenario to Serbian radicals as well as Kostunica`s nationalists. But there was someone else (beside family Jusufspahics in Belgrade who rejected from the beginning to unite under same Zukorlic`s umbrella) who did not like to see Zukorlic getting that strong, and it was his old “political rival” Sulejman Ugljanin. Unlike Jusufspahics and Belgrade nationalists Ugljanin was able to get serious opposition to Zukorlic`s plan inside his stronghold- Sandzak.

According to the Law of Churches and Religious Communities in Serbia, which was adopted in Serbian Assembly there could be only one traditional IC registered on the territory of Serbia. It meant that government in Belgrade did not have choice but to recognize IC in Serbia as the legal representative of Islamic faith, so a new strategy had to be designed and executed.

During mufti Zukorlic`s journey outside the Sandzak (in Morocco), a group of imams and members of Sabor (Assembly of IC) loyal to Sulejman Ugljanin held an unexpected meeting of Sabor on 3 th October 2007 and removed Muamer Zukorlic from all of his positions in IC. On that meeting held late at night in Novi Pazar Adem ef. Zilkic, imam from Tutin, was chosen for a new Reisul-Ulema of Islamic Community of Serbia, and Hasib ef. Suljovic was chosen as new president of Mesihat of IC in Sandzak. Members of Sabor who attended the meeting issued the statement, signed by the new Reis, calling on Zukorlic to withdraw from all positions in IC for the sake of “Muslim unity”. In the same letter they explained their decision to remove Zukorlic from his position by saying that it was on the basis of allegations that he was guilty of “political engagement, allying with one political option, spreading fear among the clergy and violating their right to free expression”.”

Zukorlic came back in Sandzak and held his own meeting of Sabor that was attended by the majority of its members during which he annulled all the decisions of Zilkic`s supporters, defining Zilkic`s appointment as “illegal, betrayal and attack on sovereignty of IC”. They say that the meeting in which Zukorlic has been removed from his position was nothing else but “an unsuccessful attempt of coup or overthrow”

On October 11th 2007, Hamdija ef. Jusufspahic, serving as Reisul-ulema at the time, handed Menshura to Reis Zilkic, which formally marked Zilkic`s coming to head of Islamic community of Serbia. Numerous incidents have been reported in Sandzak after Zilkic`s election, and they are still happening from time to time.

Politicization of religion

The political life among Bosniaks in Sandzak is very much defined with constant rivalry and antagonism between two major Bosniak political fractions in Sandzak: Democratic Party of Sandzak (SDA) led by Sulejman Ugljanin and Sandzak Democratic Party (SDP) led by Rasim Ljajic. This dispute has created deep divisions in every aspect of life in Sandzak, from coffee shops to football stadiums, and finally to mosques.

Sociologists and political theorists are quick in pointing out that such situation is a clear sign of stunt political culture in that society, since it is usual for communities with not that long democratic tradition to witness transformation of political parties with different political views into movements that frequently use not only political methods to convince people to side with them and to support their stay in power.

Similar scenario of division that is now evident in splitting up of Islamic Community has been seen earlier, in dividing humanitarian activities among Sandzak`s Muslims. The Merhamet aid agency was formed recently with links with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital Sarajevo and is close to SDA leader Sulejman Ugljanin. Interestingly enough, in this case Ugljanin does not mind its links with Sarajevo as long as it is under his control- as he does when it comes to IC in Sandzak and its link with Sarajevo Rijaset. The new agency has been formed despite the fact that the similar aid agency, called Merhamet Muslim, already exists for almost 15 years. The problem was that it was led by Ugljanin’s political adversaries.

If we are to look at it from this point of view the division in Islamic Community did not come as a surprise. Especially when we know that religion in Sandzak and Serbia, and for that matter in whole Balkans, has gone hand in hand with politics since the nineties.

For many influential residents of Sandzak that author of this article had spoke with, the political dispute is at the core of conflict between the two parallel Islamic Communities in Sandzak, and religion has nothing to do with it. According to their view, the turning point and the first step toward resolution of Sandzak`s political and religious unity came with the struggle for influence among Sandzak`s Muslims between religious leader of IC Mufti Muamer Zukorlic and the political leader form SDA party (Party of Democratic Action) and mayor of Novi Pazar Sulejman Ugljanin. So if we are to search for the roots of this conflict then we are to begin in second half of nineties. During that time, the relationship of once good partnership and cooperation among Zukorlic and Ugljanin turned to deep rivalry.

After studying in Algeria, Zukorlic came back to Sandzak and was appointed Mufti of its IC with help of Ugljanin`s party SDA. It was possible for Ugljanin to appoint Zugorlic to that position since it was the time of national awakening among Bosniaks that was led by so called “historical circle” of politicians from SDA party (both in Bosnia and in Bosniak Diaspora). It was the time of dissolution of Former Yugoslavia and its Islamic Religious Community. New national institutions were reestablished or redefined among Bosniaks to suite the new political reality, and people from SDA played the key role in all of those processes. That gave them the power to appoint the people they saw suitable for leading positions. Constitution of mesihat of IC in Sandzak as part of IC of B&H which was formed in Sarajevo as “sole and united community of Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina, of Bosniaks outside their homeland” was just an episode in Bosniak nation building process.

„Ugljanin emerged as a political figure in the early 1990s, when he headed the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Sandzak board, which was sister-party of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s SDA led by wartime President Alija Izetbegovic. At that time, according to Balkan Investigative Reporting Network report, Ugljanin advocated autonomy for Sandzak, a concept the local population voted in favor of in a referendum in October 1991.”

Charged by the former Yugoslavia authorities with “terrorism, undermining the constitutional order and intent to carry out secession”, Ugljanin was allowed to leave the country. He will not return until September 30th 1996. During his absence from Sandzak, Zukorlic grew in strength and became more then just a religious leader.

The anti-Bosniak state terror of the Milosevic era coincided with an economic boom in Novi Pazar which gave an additional power to, at the time, undisputable leader of Islamic Community in Sandzak - Mufti Zukorlic. According to my interview with one of imams from Sandzak, Novi Pazar and many other towns in that part of Serbia became a center of black market during the embargo that was imposed on Milosevic’s Serbia by Security Council of UN. This further strengthened the position of Mufti Zukorlic who managed to build his influence between new economic elite who were generously supporting all activities and projects of IC making it even stronger and more influential. Some reports suggest that Mufti Zukorlic himself was involved in business activities.  Once Ugljanin came back to Sandzak in September 1996 he found that Zukorlic has, in many ways, filled the political vacuum left by his absence. Some analysts, who spoke under condition of anonymity, told Balkan Insight, as it is reported by Sarajevo based Oslobodenje newsmagazine, that Ugljanin and Zukorlic disagreed over financial issues. Others say the rift arose over the issue of religious property in the region. The others, especially people close Zukorlic, say that he simply refused to be Ugljanin`s marionette and to obey his political instructions.

According to ICG report, tensions grew between them at that time over financing the madresa and were expressed through two newspapers, Sandzacke novine controlled by Ugljanin, and Glas Islama controlled by Zukorlic.

Zukorlic's break with Ugljanin was a great opportunity for the newly emerging Bosniak political parties like Rasim Ljajic's Sandzak Democratic Party (SDP) and Party for Sandzak of Fevzija Muric, both former Ugljanin's allies who turned to disagree with him and decided to capitalize on their dispute. From that time Ljajic and Zukorlic became associated to one another. Some would say that Zukorlic was the one who brought Ljajic to political stage and made him politically relevant.

But, what at the beginning used to be a regional conflict will soon draw attention of political forces from Belgrade with their own particular interests and disputes.

According to ICG reporting, Zukorlic accurately read the political situation in Serbia after Milosevic and found common ground with the late Prime Minister Dindic, who embraced him as his main partner in Sandzak.

Bosniak political parties - the SDA in particular - criticized this political engagement as inappropriate for a spiritual leader but it has paid dividends. In 2002 Dindic gave a green light to Zukorlic to establish the first private university in Novi Pazar, and in 2003 the mufti accompanied a Serbian state delegation to the United Arab Emirates. Whenever Serbian politicians visit Novi Pazar, they inevitably meet with Zukorlic, but often avoid Ugljanin and (even- M.J.) Ljajic.

Even from earlier Ugljanin- with his image of Bosniak nationalist- had interesting relation with Serbian nationalist Vojislav Kostunica, which steeled for new alliance to be created. On September 22, 1995 two members of Ugljanin’s party in the Serbian parliament defected to Vojislav Kostunica’s camp and signed a statement of loyalty to the Serbian government, whose survival depended on their votes. After this, the coalition rallied by Ugljanin was given posts in the ministries of infrastructure and education and the post of deputy parliament speaker. This created a benchmark after which the conflict between Zukorlic and Ugljanin will no longer be a regional dispute, but more and more a battle that is fought in Belgrade. Both sides started looking for allies in Belgrade, but with it came a tutorial status and price to be paid. Ugljanin will turn to support New Islamic Community which will include to Belgrade loyal Jusufspahics family of imams advocating no spiritual ties with Sarajevo. The paradox is that he who fought for so long to see closer ties between Bosnia and Sandzak now had to turn to someone who, as seen by many in B&H and Sandzak, is dividing Bosniaks to serve interests of Belgrade.

The stage was set for disagreement to escalate. The regional conflict turned into a new clash in which Bosnian nationalist Ugljanin and Serbian nationalist Kostunica are on one side and more moderated and seemingly pro-European Zukorlic, Ljaic and Dindic and later Boris Tadic on the other side.

There are no signs that two parallel Islamic Communities in Serbia and Sandzak are interested in making any compromises in the near future. It means that this will probably be one “frozen conflict” more, whose solution is postponed to some “better times”. Along with Kosovo status, Bosnian and Herzegovina`s inefficient state that is crippled with ethnical divisions, Balkans is more and more turning into the region of “frozen conflicts”, from political to ethnical and finally religious ones.

But despite all the problems the future of the region looks bright and the driving force which is forcing different parties in number of burning conflicts to make compromises is promise and vision of membership in European Union. So far this new vision of the region has been very useful but it still has to be more emphasized.

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