Serbia

Belgrade based mufti Muhamed Jusufspahić expressed skepticism regarding Sandžak based mufti Zukorlić’s announcement that he will run for president of Serbia come May 6^th. Jusufspahić asked if it was normal for someone who before called on civil disobedience now runs for president. On the other hand, Jusufspahić explained that Zukorlić’s running for Serbia’s presidency shows that Serbia is a free country. Jusufspahić added that Serb and Muslim residents of Serbia share the same problems and joys, regardless what faith or ethnicity they belong to. Muslims, says Jusufspahić, get all the rights Serbians get adding that no one cane take those rights away, except they themselves.

In related news, president of the Assembly of the Islamic Community of Bosnia i Herzegovina (BiH) Safet Softić explained that there exists a decision regarding the noninvolvement of religious authorities may not promote political parties or in any way participate in elections. Softić recalled that a case in which a mufti was dismissed for involvement in politics adding that technically, the Islamic Community of Sandžak belongs to BiH. Zukorlić, so Softić, is thus under the jurisdiction of BiH’s Islamic Community.

According to the agency Factor Plus, Tomislav Nikolić, leader of the Serbia’s Progressive Party (SNS) leads the polls with 35.8 percent. Current president Boris Tadić came in close second in the polls with 35.7 percent. The research survey that filled out by 1160 adults between April 2^nd and 8^th showed that Ivica Daćić, leader of Serbia’s Socialist Party (SPS) came in 11.2 percent; Čedomir Jovanović, leader of the movement Preokret and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), came in fourth with 5.6 percent; Vojislav Koštunica, leader of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) came in with 5 percent; and Zoran Stanković, leader of the United Regions of Serbia (URS) came in with one percent. A spokesperson at Factor Plus explained that the research did not include Muamer Zukorlić and Jadranka Šešelj as both announced their bid for presidency too late. Regarding the parliamentary elections, SNS would receive 33.4 percent while DS were to came in second with 29.4 percent. In third place came the coalition of the Socialist Party of Serbia, United Pensioners of Serbia and United Serbia with 11. 6 percent. Preokret too made it above the five percent benchmark with 6.3 percent, as did the SRS with 5.7 percent and the DSS with 5.5 percent. According to the research, 51 percent confirmed their intention to vote while 41 percent said they knew for whom to vote on election day. 60 percent of Serbia’s rural and urban population expressed their doubt whether or not anything will change after election day and nearly 70 percent consider the party for which they will vote untrustworthy.

“Faktor Plus: Tadić i Nikolić skoro izjednačeni”. Polika. Accessed April 9, 2012.http://www.politika.rs/rubrike/Politika/Faktor-plus-Tadic-i-Nikolic-skoro-izjednaceni.lt.html

“Jusufspahić: Srbija slobodna zemlja”. B92. Accessed April 9, 2012. http://www.b92.net/info/izbori2012/vesti.php?yyyy=2012&mm=04&dd=09&nav_id=598728

Bosnia i Herzegovinan (BiH)

During the past weeks in BiH, dissatisfaction has grown louder which has experts wondering if BiH is ready for a large-scale revolt that could grow into an avalanche of social discontent. The number of workers and pensioners on the street is growing, unemployment has long surpassed half a million and BiH’s credit rating is nearly as low as Greece’s. Former members of the armed forces are protesting in front of Sarajevo’s institutions, and operating firms all across the country work barely at a minimum. Agricultural workers too announced their intent to demonstrate. Is the time ripe for a Balkan Spring as citizens no longer have anything to lose? Meanwhile, are large scale demonstrations even feasible in a country in which trade unions have a less than doubtful partnership with the government? Professor Ivan Šajković explains that citizens of BiH no longer have faith in their unions. Sociology professor Srđan Puhalo added that in Bih, citizens no longer now what it means to lead a normal life, what it means to live off of ones work. The only question is how far down we can go, said Puhalo, adding that he believes citizens of BiH reached the bottom from which one cannot fall any further. Professor of philosophy Enver Kazaz, however, does not believe there will be large civic disobedience. Should it happen nonetheless, Kazaz adds, the rebellion will be chaotic. The unions should then the be held accountable. Yet, what if, hypothetically, large scale rebellions transpire and topple the current government? What could replace the current chaotic situation of BiH too is a question asked by professor Šijaković. Meritocracy, he explained, would have to be prevalent method of selecting people for leadership positions.

According to independent news outlets, new Wahhabi basis are allegedly forming in the village of Ovše by Maglaja. Initial information about the suspected training center surfaced one and a half years ago while journalists acquired images with which to proof the existence. The State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) stated it has information according to which followers of the Wahhabi movement settled in Ovše. Individuals were found cleaning debris and weeds around their acquired property and property intended for purchase. The operation is said to have been organized by Izet Hadžić who is supposedly a fevoted follower of Nusret Imamović. To prevent further media exposure of “their Vienna Headquarters”, Hadžić is said to have been directed to Luxembourg which known for its numerous followers of the Wahhabi movement.

“Otkrivena nova baza vehabija kod Maglaja”. Mondo. Accessed April 10, 2012.http://www.mondo.rs/s240461/Info/ex-YU/Otkrivena_nova_baza_vehabija_kod_Maglaja.html

“Balkansko proleće sad ili nikad.” DW.DE. accessed April 9, 2012.http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15867176,00.html