Novi Pazar mayor slams Democrats

Sulejman Ugljanin Monday accused the Democratic Party (DS) of "spitting on Muslims".

Izvor: B92

Monday, 19.11.2007.

16:11

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Sulejman Ugljanin Monday accused the Democratic Party (DS) of "spitting on Muslims". The leader of the List for Sandzak and head of Novi Pazar's municipal administration lashed back after accusations that he is the one who caused division and crisis within Serbia's Islamic Community, that produced a string of inter-Muslim incidents, most recently last Friday. Novi Pazar mayor slams Democrats "The DS will not prove its pro-European and pro-American policies by spitting on Muslims," Ugljanin told a local television station. He announced he would lodge a protest with the DS leader and Serbian President Boris Tadic, adding that those who point the finger of blame at him are on the Democrats' electoral list. Ugljanin was referring to his Sandzak rival Rasim Ljajic, who is close to the Democrats. By contrast, Ugljanin's party is aligned with Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS). The two Novi Pazar political leaders have for years been involved in acrimonious accusations and conflict, which many believe reflected on the splitting of the Islamic Community to two factions, one based in the town, another in Belgrade. The new reis, Adem Zilkic, is seen as backed by Ugljanin, while the deposed head of Serbia's Muslims, Muamer Zukorlic, is closer to Ljajic. Zukorlic's followers recently started reconstruction works on a mosque in town, but worshippers who support Zilkic's appointment tried to access the temple on Friday. This caused riots that left four, including a policeman, injured. Shots were also fired which wounded one civilian. Now Ugljanin does not deny that most of those who were outside the mosque were his supporters, but claims that this is only natural, "as 90 percent of the town residents" identify with that political option. But he suggested that both those who prayed inside, and those who, after being denied entry, did so in the street in front of the mosque, "were right". "They are all our fellow citizens and we must not create fronts and divisions. Instead, we must solve our problems through conversation and compromise," Ugljanin said. Sulejman Ugljanin (Tanjug)

Novi Pazar mayor slams Democrats

"The DS will not prove its pro-European and pro-American policies by spitting on Muslims," Ugljanin told a local television station.

He announced he would lodge a protest with the DS leader and Serbian President Boris Tadić, adding that those who point the finger of blame at him are on the Democrats' electoral list.

Ugljanin was referring to his Sandžak rival Rasim Ljajić, who is close to the Democrats. By contrast, Ugljanin's party is aligned with Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS).

The two Novi Pazar political leaders have for years been involved in acrimonious accusations and conflict, which many believe reflected on the splitting of the Islamic Community to two factions, one based in the town, another in Belgrade.

The new reis, Adem Zilkić, is seen as backed by Ugljanin, while the deposed head of Serbia's Muslims, Muamer Zukorlić, is closer to Ljajić.

Zukorlić's followers recently started reconstruction works on a mosque in town, but worshippers who support Zilkić's appointment tried to access the temple on Friday.

This caused riots that left four, including a policeman, injured. Shots were also fired which wounded one civilian.

Now Ugljanin does not deny that most of those who were outside the mosque were his supporters, but claims that this is only natural, "as 90 percent of the town residents" identify with that political option.

But he suggested that both those who prayed inside, and those who, after being denied entry, did so in the street in front of the mosque, "were right".

"They are all our fellow citizens and we must not create fronts and divisions. Instead, we must solve our problems through conversation and compromise," Ugljanin said.

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