Mufti wants autonomy, internationalization

Islamic Community in Serbia Chief Mufti Muamer Zukorlic spoke for Al Jazeera TV to say that the "problem of Sandzak" must be made an international issue. The goal of this internationalization would be to prevent a repeat of problems similar to those that happened in Bosnia and Kosovo, he said. Mufti wants autonomy, internationalization Zukorlic also expressed hope that come next elections in Serbia, there would be a new political force that will understand that autonomy of the Sandzak region would be a pillar of stability for Serbia, but also for neighboring Montenegro. He spoke for the Arab television outlet about the "general situation in Sandzak and Serbia, stressing the latest events related to attacks on waqf property," said the seat of his community in Novi Pazar in a statement issued today. The mufti acquainted Al Jazeera's viewers with "the many decades of injustice done to Bosniaks (Muslims) by the Belgrade regime, and singled out the two-year rule of late PM Zoran Djindjic as a good period in official Belgrade's treatment of Bosniaks", according to this. Zukorlic also stated that he had no doubt that the project of Sandzak's autonomy was necessary for Muslims who live in Serbia, and that this was in line with the Constitution. "The Constitution allows for autonomies inside Serbia as well, there is Vojvodina that is autonomous," he said, and added that Serbia, on its road toward EU membership, had accepted the concept of regionalization, withing which the Muslims of Sandzak see their chance. Zukorlic spoke about Sandzak's Muslim politicians and government ministers Rasim Ljajic and Sujelman Ugljanin, to say that although they had accept the "partitioning of Sandzak within Serbia's regions", the Muslims who live there "will never accept that injustice". He accused Ljajic and Ugljanin of abandoning the goals that they previously advocated and that brought them votes in elections. "They have shown that they are not representatives of Muslims in the government, but representatives of the government among Muslims, they defend the government from Muslims. They have sold out the interests of Bosniaks for the sake of power," Zukorlic was quoted as saying. Zukorlic heads one of the two rival Islamic communities in Serbia. Both his organization, and the Islamic Community of Serbia, are based in the country's southwestern Sandzak region. Muamer Zukorlic (Tanjug, file)

Mufti wants autonomy, internationalization

Zukorlić also expressed hope that come next elections in Serbia, there would be a new political force that will understand that autonomy of the Sandžak region would be a pillar of stability for Serbia, but also for neighboring Montenegro.

He spoke for the Arab television outlet about the "general situation in Sandžak and Serbia, stressing the latest events related to attacks on waqf property," said the seat of his community in Novi Pazar in a statement issued today.

The mufti acquainted Al Jazeera's viewers with "the many decades of injustice done to Bosniaks (Muslims) by the Belgrade regime, and singled out the two-year rule of late PM Zoran Đinđić as a good period in official Belgrade's treatment of Bosniaks", according to this.

Zukorlić also stated that he had no doubt that the project of Sandžak's autonomy was necessary for Muslims who live in Serbia, and that this was in line with the Constitution.

"The Constitution allows for autonomies inside Serbia as well, there is Vojvodina that is autonomous," he said, and added that Serbia, on its road toward EU membership, had accepted the concept of regionalization, withing which the Muslims of Sandžak see their chance.

Zukorlić spoke about Sandžak's Muslim politicians and government ministers Rasim Ljajić and Sujelman Ugljanin, to say that although they had accept the "partitioning of Sandžak within Serbia's regions", the Muslims who live there "will never accept that injustice".

He accused Ljajić and Ugljanin of abandoning the goals that they previously advocated and that brought them votes in elections.

"They have shown that they are not representatives of Muslims in the government, but representatives of the government among Muslims, they defend the government from Muslims. They have sold out the interests of Bosniaks for the sake of power," Zukorlić was quoted as saying.

Zukorlić heads one of the two rival Islamic communities in Serbia. Both his organization, and the Islamic Community of Serbia, are based in the country's southwestern Sandžak region.