New dispute brewing between rival Islamic communities

The war of words between two Islamic communities in Serbia has continued over a mosque in Novi Pazar. One side claims that fifty or so armed members of Mufti Muamer Zukorlic’s security has taken over the central Novi Pazar Altun-alem mosque, while the other side denies the allegations, claiming that a planned reconstruction of one of Serbia’s oldest mosques is under way. New dispute brewing between rival Islamic communities Chief of the new reis’s cabinet Jakup Lekovic said that around 50 armed members of Zukorlic’s security had taken over the mosque. He said that they had taken the mosque keys from the security guard under false pretences, claiming that they were there to perform reconstruction work. “This is an abuse of rights, and we will endeavour to get the Faith Ministry and the Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute involved as soon as possible because no permit has been issued for this kind of work,“ said Lekovic. Meanwhile, Serbian Islamic Community President for Novi Pazar Sead Sacirovic refuted the claims, saying that the reconstruction was genuine. “It’s got nothing to do with an armed takeover, but the legal entry of the Serbian Islamic Community, who are responsible for all mosques in Sandzak and Serbia. Our construction workers have entered and work will take a lot longer than planned, as the mosque is in a very poor state. But, everything is being done with the agreement of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute,“ he said. However, Institute Director Vera Pavlovic-Loncarevic said that she would ask for work to be terminated on the building, claiming that no-one from her organization had issued a reconstruction permit.

New dispute brewing between rival Islamic communities

Chief of the new reis’s cabinet Jakup Leković said that around 50 armed members of Zukorlić’s security had taken over the mosque. He said that they had taken the mosque keys from the security guard under false pretences, claiming that they were there to perform reconstruction work.

“This is an abuse of rights, and we will endeavour to get the Faith Ministry and the Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute involved as soon as possible because no permit has been issued for this kind of work,“ said Leković.

Meanwhile, Serbian Islamic Community President for Novi Pazar Sead Šaćirović refuted the claims, saying that the reconstruction was genuine.

“It’s got nothing to do with an armed takeover, but the legal entry of the Serbian Islamic Community, who are responsible for all mosques in Sandžak and Serbia. Our construction workers have entered and work will take a lot longer than planned, as the mosque is in a very poor state. But, everything is being done with the agreement of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute,“ he said.

However, Institute Director Vera Pavlović-Lončarević said that she would ask for work to be terminated on the building, claiming that no-one from her organization had issued a reconstruction permit.