Sandžak Muslims in parallel Bairam celebrations

Muslims in Serbia are today celebrating Islam’s biggest festival, Kurban-Bairam. However, two celebrations are running concurrently because of divides within the community. Sandzak Muslims in parallel Bairam celebrations Owing to the rift in the country's Islamic community, two separate celebrations were organized this morning in Novi Pazar by the Serbian Islamic Community’s Riaset and the Islamic Community in Serbia’s Meshihat. However, both passed peacefully and without any problems. The only curiosity was the fact two ceremonies took place. The Serbian Islamic Community’s celebration, led by Adem Zilkic, was held in the Sports Center, because, according to Zilkic’s spokesman Jakup Lekovic, there was not enough room in the local mosque. He reiterated that this was not the first time Bairam had been held in the Sports Center, as some years ago the service had been conducted there by the reis of the Bosnian Islamic Community Effendi Ceric. Meanwhile, the Islamic Community in Serbia held its festivities at the Hajrudin Mosque, and were led by Muamer Effendi Zukorlic. The Meshihat will organize a traditional Bairam fireworks display in the city center at 8 p.m. this evening. On Dec. 19, the heads of the Islamic community in Serbia congratulated believers saying that this is a unique opportunity for believers to turn back to Allah. In his message to believers, the reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community of Serbia, Adem Zilkic, said it was time for Bosniaks to stop quarreling and unite around all the things that bring good to mankind. "It is time for us to take our place with those of conscience and responsibility among mankind, to win the world with the purity of our souls, the beauty of our speech and goodness of our being," Zilkic said. The chief mufti of the Islamic Community of Serbia, Muamer Zukorlic, called on the Serbian president and government to secure the Muslims' equal status with other religious communities in Serbia, so that they can continue to take part in building a prosperous future for all citizens. In the traditional Bajram greeting, he accused the Ministry for Religious Affairs, but also the local authorities in Novi Pazar, Tutin and Sjenica, of brutally violating the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of the Islamic Community and the legal obligation to provide protection to its legitimate bodies. President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica congratulated all citizens and dignitaries of the Islamic Community of Serbia, on the celebration of the feast of Kurban Bajram.

Sandžak Muslims in parallel Bairam celebrations

Owing to the rift in the country's Islamic community, two separate celebrations were organized this morning in Novi Pazar by the Serbian Islamic Community’s Riaset and the Islamic Community in Serbia’s Meshihat. However, both passed peacefully and without any problems. The only curiosity was the fact two ceremonies took place.

The Serbian Islamic Community’s celebration, led by Adem Zilkić, was held in the Sports Center, because, according to Zilkić’s spokesman Jakup Leković, there was not enough room in the local mosque.

He reiterated that this was not the first time Bairam had been held in the Sports Center, as some years ago the service had been conducted there by the reis of the Bosnian Islamic Community Effendi Cerić.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Community in Serbia held its festivities at the Hajrudin Mosque, and were led by Muamer Effendi Zukorlić.

The Meshihat will organize a traditional Bairam fireworks display in the city center at 8 p.m. this evening.

On Dec. 19, the heads of the Islamic community in Serbia congratulated believers saying that this is a unique opportunity for believers to turn back to Allah.

In his message to believers, the reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community of Serbia, Adem Zilkić, said it was time for Bosniaks to stop quarreling and unite around all the things that bring good to mankind.

"It is time for us to take our place with those of conscience and responsibility among mankind, to win the world with the purity of our souls, the beauty of our speech and goodness of our being," Zilkić said.

The chief mufti of the Islamic Community of Serbia, Muamer Zukorlić, called on the Serbian president and government to secure the Muslims' equal status with other religious communities in Serbia, so that they can continue to take part in building a prosperous future for all citizens.

In the traditional Bajram greeting, he accused the Ministry for Religious Affairs, but also the local authorities in Novi Pazar, Tutin and Sjenica, of brutally violating the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of the Islamic Community and the legal obligation to provide protection to its legitimate bodies.

President Boris Tadić and Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica congratulated all citizens and dignitaries of the Islamic Community of Serbia, on the celebration of the feast of Kurban Bajram.