Novi Pazar quiet after yesterday's unrest

Saturday is peaceful in Novi Pazar in the wake of Friday's clash between rival Muslim groups that left four injured. A man identified as Esan Bisevac was shot, but his condition is stable and his injuries are not life threatening, local hospital official say. Novi Pazar quiet after yesterday's unrest Two police officers and a civilian were also hurt from stones and bricks the two groups of Muslim worshippers threw at each other in front of a mosque in town. The fight broke out when those who support the new leader of the Islamic Community of Serbia, Reis Adem Zilkic, tried to enter the court of the Altun Alem mosque, but were prevented by the followers of the previous reis, Muamer Zukorilic. Zukorlic supporters ten days ago started reconstruction works on the mosque, which was viewed as usurpation by the Zilkic camp. The IC yesterday asked the authorities in Belgrade to urgently react and start solving the issue of the mosque, quoting alleged violent methods Zukorlic uses to intimidate citizens of Novi Pazar and Sandzak residents. On the other hand, Zukorilic's deputy Resad Plojovic claims that Sulejman Ugljanin's List for Sandzak activists are to blame for the unrest. Ugljanin is the local political arch-rival of Rasim Ljajic, who holds a number of state offices, including that of the head of the Labor Ministry. Ljajic reacted Friday by saying that state authorities must disarm all Muslim believers who own arms and "prevent holding of prayers in Novi Pazar streets, as such practice is contrary to basic Islamic principles", Tanjug quoted the minister. Zilkic's supporters have for the past week, unable to enter the mosque, held their religious services in the street in front of the contested Muslim temple. Meanwhile, Serbian MUP Director Milan Veljovic, who counted two of his men among the injured, said that police were working with all their capacities to find out who caused the clashes. "Police intervened with the goal of restoring public order, when two officers were injured by stones thrown at them, as well as one civilian. Appropriate services are conducting investigations and after all the facts have been determined, we will seek to take legal action against those responsible." "The most important thing is to ensure safety for the citizens of Novi Pazar. And police will fulfill this task in a professional manner," Veljovic told reporters in Belgrade Saturday. The Ministry of Religion has in the meanwhile called for calm and urged all Islamic religious dignitaries and worshippers to solve their disputes in a patient, wise and dignified manner. The ministry also called on Zukorlic and Zilkic to "immediately recognize each other just as the state, their religious officials and worshippers recognize them." "All organizational forms the Islamic Community that are registered are absolutely legitimate, in other words, the State of Serbia recognizes both the Islamic Community of Serbia, based in Belgrade, and the Islamic Community in Serbia, based in Novi Pazar," a statement from the ministry said. MUP riot police in Novi Pazar Friday (Tanjug)

Novi Pazar quiet after yesterday's unrest

Two police officers and a civilian were also hurt from stones and bricks the two groups of Muslim worshippers threw at each other in front of a mosque in town.

The fight broke out when those who support the new leader of the Islamic Community of Serbia, Reis Adem Zilkić, tried to enter the court of the Altun Alem mosque, but were prevented by the followers of the previous reis, Muamer Zukorilić.

Zukorlić supporters ten days ago started reconstruction works on the mosque, which was viewed as usurpation by the Zilkić camp.

The IC yesterday asked the authorities in Belgrade to urgently react and start solving the issue of the mosque, quoting alleged violent methods Zukorlić uses to intimidate citizens of Novi Pazar and Sandžak residents.

On the other hand, Zukorilić's deputy Rešad Plojović claims that Sulejman Ugljanin's List for Sandžak activists are to blame for the unrest.

Ugljanin is the local political arch-rival of Rasim Ljajić, who holds a number of state offices, including that of the head of the Labor Ministry.

Ljajić reacted Friday by saying that state authorities must disarm all Muslim believers who own arms and "prevent holding of prayers in Novi Pazar streets, as such practice is contrary to basic Islamic principles", Tanjug quoted the minister.

Zilkić's supporters have for the past week, unable to enter the mosque, held their religious services in the street in front of the contested Muslim temple.

Meanwhile, Serbian MUP Director Milan Veljović, who counted two of his men among the injured, said that police were working with all their capacities to find out who caused the clashes.

"Police intervened with the goal of restoring public order, when two officers were injured by stones thrown at them, as well as one civilian. Appropriate services are conducting investigations and after all the facts have been determined, we will seek to take legal action against those responsible."

"The most important thing is to ensure safety for the citizens of Novi Pazar. And police will fulfill this task in a professional manner," Veljović told reporters in Belgrade Saturday.

The Ministry of Religion has in the meanwhile called for calm and urged all Islamic religious dignitaries and worshippers to solve their disputes in a patient, wise and dignified manner.

The ministry also called on Zukorlić and Zilkić to "immediately recognize each other just as the state, their religious officials and worshippers recognize them."

"All organizational forms the Islamic Community that are registered are absolutely legitimate, in other words, the State of Serbia recognizes both the Islamic Community of Serbia, based in Belgrade, and the Islamic Community in Serbia, based in Novi Pazar," a statement from the ministry said.