Novi Pazar rally ends peacefully

Some 2,000 people gathered in Novi Pazar in two groups: one in support of the new reis, the other backing the former mufti. Following the official election ceremony in Belgrade, the new Reis-ul-ulema of Serbia’s Islamic community - whose headquarters are in the capital - Adem Zilkic arrived in Novi Pazar, where he attended an official community rally in the town’s central square. Novi Pazar rally ends peacefully However, supporters of the former mufti, Muamer Zukorlic, have also gathered there. Insults have been hurled from both camps, but the rally ended without incidents. Head of the new Reis’s cabinet Jakup Lekovic ealrier today called on the police (MUP) to increase security at the rally in the town centre. Police recorded video footage and took photos of the participants in today’s religious event, as there was a danger that people’s lives and property could be jeopardized. Several dozen officers wearing riot police uniforms, but without crowd dispersal gear, were deployed around the central square in front of the Vrbak Hotel, where the Islamic Community rally took place. Two buses and several vans carrying more police officers were stationed in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. Earlier today, Zilkic was officially appointed the new leader of Serbia's Muslims in a ceremony in the Bajrakli mosque in Belgrade. Considering a string of incidents related to the appointment and a meeting of a rival faction last week which supported the deposed reis Zukorlic, many were fearful that today's events could have turned violent. Several imams from a number of Sandzak towns, who believe Belgrade should be the center of the Serbian Islamic community organization, gathered last week to appoint Zilkic as the new reis, at the same time replacing Zukorlic from his position as chief mufti in the country. But the Sandzak meshihat, that looks to Sarajevo as its organizational and spiritual center, gathered several days later to declare this decision null and void. Both sides claim that they are the only legal and legitimate representatives of Muslims in the country. Additionally, Zilkic's faction is seen closer to Sulejman Ugljanin, and by association, the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), while Zukorlic and his group are believed to be close to Rasim Ljajic, and the Democratic Party (DS). Their followers in Sanzak, the south-western region that is home to most of Serbia's Muslims, have for years been engaged in incidents that claimed several lives. Additionally, members of the radical Islamic Wahhabi movement have been organizing in the area, which earlier this year resulted in several armed showdowns with special police, one fatality, and 15 terrorism indictments issued mid-September against the arrested suspects. All this makes Sanzak currently the most volatile region in Serbia. Riot police officers, minus riot gear, in Novi Pazar today (Tanjug)

Novi Pazar rally ends peacefully

However, supporters of the former mufti, Muamer Zukorlić, have also gathered there. Insults have been hurled from both camps, but the rally ended without incidents.

Head of the new Reis’s cabinet Jakup Leković ealrier today called on the police (MUP) to increase security at the rally in the town centre.

Police recorded video footage and took photos of the participants in today’s religious event, as there was a danger that people’s lives and property could be jeopardized.

Several dozen officers wearing riot police uniforms, but without crowd dispersal gear, were deployed around the central square in front of the Vrbak Hotel, where the Islamic Community rally took place.

Two buses and several vans carrying more police officers were stationed in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.

Earlier today, Zilkić was officially appointed the new leader of Serbia's Muslims in a ceremony in the Bajrakli mosque in Belgrade.

Considering a string of incidents related to the appointment and a meeting of a rival faction last week which supported the deposed reis Zukorlić, many were fearful that today's events could have turned violent.

Several imams from a number of Sandžak towns, who believe Belgrade should be the center of the Serbian Islamic community organization, gathered last week to appoint Zilkić as the new reis, at the same time replacing Zukorlić from his position as chief mufti in the country.

But the Sandžak meshihat, that looks to Sarajevo as its organizational and spiritual center, gathered several days later to declare this decision null and void.

Both sides claim that they are the only legal and legitimate representatives of Muslims in the country.

Additionally, Zilkić's faction is seen closer to Sulejman Ugljanin, and by association, the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), while Zukorlić and his group are believed to be close to Rasim Ljajić, and the Democratic Party (DS).

Their followers in Sanžak, the south-western region that is home to most of Serbia's Muslims, have for years been engaged in incidents that claimed several lives.

Additionally, members of the radical Islamic Wahhabi movement have been organizing in the area, which earlier this year resulted in several armed showdowns with special police, one fatality, and 15 terrorism indictments issued mid-September against the arrested suspects.

All this makes Sanžak currently the most volatile region in Serbia.