Muslim leader requests police protection

Reis of Serbia’s Islamic community Adem Zilkic has asked the Interior Ministry for police protection. Zilkic called on Interior Minister Dragan Jocic to take the “necessary measures” to protect his buildings and followers from the force demonstrated by his rival, head Mufti Muamer Zukorlic. Muslim leader requests police protection In an open letter to Jocic and Religion Minister Radomir Naumov, Zilkic asked for protection from Zukorlic, "who uses force to win believers over.” Zilkic said that one follower, Bektas Klimenta, was assaulted by some of Zukorlic’s men for changing locks on the mosque doors. Klimenti was also threatened that “all who support Zilkic will be destroyed.” Zilkic said that the Klece mosque was not the first to have its locks changed, adding that the lock was changed on the Tutina mosque in December as well. He said that "Zukorlic’s violence can no longer be tolerated” and warned of the potential for serious clashes between supporters of the two rival factions. Conflict within the Serbian Islamic community escalated in October, when Zilkic replaced Zukorlic. The Council of the Serbian Islamic Community, led by Zukorlic, deemed the decision unofficial and illegitimate. Most recently, the Religion Ministry took Zilkic’s side, stating that Zukorlic was violating the religious rights of Muslims in Serbia.

Muslim leader requests police protection

In an open letter to Jočić and Religion Minister Radomir Naumov, Zilkić asked for protection from Zukorlić, "who uses force to win believers over.”

Zilkić said that one follower, Bektaš Klimenta, was assaulted by some of Zukorlić’s men for changing locks on the mosque doors.

Klimenti was also threatened that “all who support Zilkić will be destroyed.”

Zilkić said that the Kleče mosque was not the first to have its locks changed, adding that the lock was changed on the Tutina mosque in December as well.

He said that "Zukorlić’s violence can no longer be tolerated” and warned of the potential for serious clashes between supporters of the two rival factions.

Conflict within the Serbian Islamic community escalated in October, when Zilkić replaced Zukorlić.

The Council of the Serbian Islamic Community, led by Zukorlić, deemed the decision unofficial and illegitimate. Most recently, the Religion Ministry took Zilkić’s side, stating that Zukorlić was violating the religious rights of Muslims in Serbia.