Minister calls for unity in Muslim community

Minister Without Portfolio Sulejman Ugljanin has called on Rasim Ljajic and Mufti Muamer Zukorlic to "settle their differences". Ljajic also urged his fellow cabinet minister Ljajic, and Zukorlic, who heads one of Serbia's rival Islamic communities, to work towards uniting the Bosniaks (Muslims) in Serbia and joining forces at the next parliamentary elections. Minister calls for unity in Muslim community Ugljanin did not exclude the possibility for the two to sit down and reach an agreement on the political and religious issues that have divided the Bosniak community. But first, those problems have to be taken out of mosques, political parties and the media, said Ugljanin, who is also the leader of the Sandzak Party of Democratic Action. "It is the only way to make Bosniaks a partner to the government, which is obligated to help minorities find the best way to exercise their rights," he told Tanjug. Ugljanin advocates a united Islamic community and wants the government to accredit the International University, which was founded by Zukorlic, as well as other universities that have not yet received a licence for operation. The divisions inside the Islamic community are complex, but not impossible to overcome, he stated. "It is a shame for our country and unacceptable for Europe that we have two Islamic communities. It is not the religious leaders' fault, but the government's... this is a serious issue, involving everyone, but least of all those who are divided," Ugljanin remarked. Sulejman Ugljanin (Tanjug, file)

Minister calls for unity in Muslim community

Ugljanin did not exclude the possibility for the two to sit down and reach an agreement on the political and religious issues that have divided the Bosniak community.

But first, those problems have to be taken out of mosques, political parties and the media, said Ugljanin, who is also the leader of the Sandžak Party of Democratic Action.

"It is the only way to make Bosniaks a partner to the government, which is obligated to help minorities find the best way to exercise their rights," he told Tanjug.

Ugljanin advocates a united Islamic community and wants the government to accredit the International University, which was founded by Zukorlić, as well as other universities that have not yet received a licence for operation.

The divisions inside the Islamic community are complex, but not impossible to overcome, he stated.

"It is a shame for our country and unacceptable for Europe that we have two Islamic communities. It is not the religious leaders' fault, but the government's... this is a serious issue, involving everyone, but least of all those who are divided," Ugljanin remarked.