Bosna i Herzegovina

For the first time in 16 years, agencies that supervise the work of government agencies, will be appointed by party cadres. Consequently, the central election commission, the anti corruption agency and the audit and procurement review body of BiH will, in addition to other agencies, under the “paw of the ruling party”. The general auditor of BiH, Milenko Šego noted that no other state in the world allows for their party to appoint their own staff of auditors. All states, assured Šego, abide by the laws of the audit by which no auditors should be members of the party. According to an article published by Radio Slobodna Evropa, after having won the election based on the promise to put the people front and center, the Socialdemokratska Partija Bosne i Herzegovine (SDP) rendered the people secondary. When asked about the recent developments, SDP vice president Damir Hadžić stated that “now, people that are very qualified and have clear perspectives for their future will have the chance to compete for jobs adding that political leanings are equally important”.

Amendments to the constitution of the Islamic Community of BiH discussed by the Constitutional Commission prevent the current reis ul ulema Mustafa Cerić to stand for reelection. In the past months, rumors held that Ceirić was to serve in his post for live. With the Commission’s decision, however, these rumors were dispelled. Jusuf Zahiragić, president of the Constitutional Commission, confirmed the above statement by which “a large number” of amendments have been adopted. However, Zahiragić did not specify the exact nature of the amendments adopted. As reported in the Sarajevo newspaper Dnevni avaza, Zahiragić rejected claims by which one amendment stipulated that the reis ul ulema who was not reelected would continue his service in “specific offices” – to be decided upon by the Islamic community – until the persons retirement. The amendments that were made public stipulate, among other things, that the person standing for office must not be younger than 40, and no older than 60 years of age. Mustafa Cerić will celebrate his 60^th birthday this year. A possible candidate for the post is Muamer Zukorlić who is said to enjoy full support of Mustafa Zerić.

The World Bank’s executive committee approved a new strategy regarding BiH’s and the Banks partnership for the coming four years. According to Slobodna Evropa, a number of projects are to be realized with financial support coming from the World Bank. However, BiH did not yet take advantage of funds it was hitherto given while nevertheless paying penalty interests on the loans. At any rate, says head of the World Bank for Bosnia Anabela Abreu, BiH might be more receptive with plans for new projects in the picture. Abreu who is originally form Portugal warned BiH’s government and its citizens that the coming year would bare many challenges while reforms must be undertaken. She cited the example of her home-country Portugal that might be hit by the financial crisis comparing it to that of Greece’s ongoing crisis. Planned are, among others, irrigation projects, land registration, overhauling the navigation system of the Sava while additional funds are planned to help with Small and Medium Business (SME’s) enterprises – an important aggregator for job creation.

Reis ul ulama Mustafa Cerić criticized the Zahumsko-Herzegovinian bishop Gregori on the basis of insulting remarks against Cerić. He further criticized the Serbian Orthodox Church due to her interference in the internal affairs of the Islamic religious community. Bishop Grigori had earlier criticized Cerić who compared Croatia’s president Ivo Josipović and Serbian president Boris Tadić to Franjo Tuđman and Slobodan Milošević respectively. Following Cerić’s remarks, bishop Grigori countered that Josipović and Tadić were the most peaceful men that presided over the area in the past 100 years. Grigori stated that Cerić’s remarks exceeded every human, cultural and religious realm while Cerić himself acted as if BiH was his private property. The Islamic Community of BiH (IZ) meanwhile condemned the comments Grigori has brought forward against Cerić and likewise criticized the Serbian Orthodox Church for her meddling in the affairs of the Islamic IZ. The IZ further questioned patriarch Irinej’s arrival to Banja Luka were he consecrated the 9^th of January – the date of the establishment of RS – and the date on which genocide against Bosniaks transgressed. What message, questioned the IZ, was sent to Bosniaks with this action, and why is the Serbian Orthodox Church silent regarding the aggression the Serbian state performed against the Islamic community of BiH?

Alžira Nuredin Gaci, originally from Algeria, has been deported from BiH upon having been declared a threat to the national security of BiH. Kurir reports that Gaci has fougt in the war durig the 1990’s before fleeing to Italy following the war. Gaci was also deported from Italy together with Frendi Omar who was also pronounced a threat to the national security of BiH. Later on, the two were once again located in BiH where both of them worked illegally. Omar was sent back to Algeria in January of 2011 while he was forbidden to reenter BiH for three years. Omar nevertheless came back in September of 2011 and was seen in the area of Čajniča. Relevant authorities are once again working on the deportation of Omar. Gaci came back in 2010 and worked in the Immigration Center in the south of Sarajevo. Gaci overstayed his visa and exhausted all possibilities of staying legally in BiH upon which he was deported to Algeria – he was forbidden to return to BiH for the duration of five years.

The diaspora community of BiH sent 1,3 billion Euros to Bosnia in the first nine months of 2011 which is more than was sent during the same period the previous year. However, the amount is much less compared to the “pre-crisis” years. According to the director of the economic institute “Bijeljine” Aleksa Milojević, the trend of reduced remittances is due to the migration of entire families as opposed to the past whereby only a few members of the family migrated to foreign countries. Consequently, these people have nobody from within their close family to send money to. In addition, families who migrate, more often integrate completely into their new homes and no longer buy land and properties in their country of origin. To be sure, remittances almost certainly never went into the realization of projects. Instead, this money was used for the consumption of foreign products. Thus, the money essentially returned to the state from which it was sent. This situation is likely to remain the same should the economy of BiH not be strengthened in the future.

“BiH: Prisušuje pomoć dijaspore”. Vesti Online. accessed January 17, 2012. http://www.vesti-online.com/Vesti/Ex-Yu/195160?BiH-Presusuje-pomoc-dijaspore

“BiH deportovala dvojicu alžirskih mudžahedina”. Kurir. accessed January 17, 2012. http://www.kurir-info.rs/crna-hronika/bih-deportovala-dvojicu-alzirskih-mudzahedina-172062.php

“Cerić: Ko podržava svetosavizaciju pola BiH” Politika Online. accessed January 16, 2012. www.politika.rs/vesti/najnovije-vesti/Ceric-Ko-podrzava-svetosavizaciju-pola-BiH.lt.html

“BiH treba učiti na greškama Grčke”. Radio Slobodna Evropa. accessed January 17, 2012.http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/content/anabela_abreu_pred_bih_puno_ekonomskih_izazova/24453566.html

“Cerić nema pravo na reizbor”. FOCUS. Accessed January 14, 2012. http://focusnewsinfo.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/ceric-nema-pravo-na-reizbor/

“Novi presedan: Vlas će nadzirati partijski kadrovi”. Radio Slobodna Evropa. accessed January 13, 2012. http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/content/vlast_ce_nadzirati_partijski_kadrovi/24451124.html

Sandžak

Upon Edhema Čamdžić’s refusal to accept the Medal of Honor by the president of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, the Mufti of Sandžak Muamer Zukorlić pronounced his enthusiasm regarding Čamdžić’s decision. Zukorlić issued a statement on the Islamic Community of Serbia’s website that his act is the most honorable a mufti could perform under such difficult circumstances and in an area where genocide occurred. Zukorlić explained that Muslim residents of Sandžak understood especially well why this honor was to be given to Čamdžić as it served to disrupt and divide the ulema adding that this was done “according to a Belgrade recipe”. Belgrade, explains, Zukorlić, seeks to divide the ulema among those who allegedly wish to collaborate and those who do not by which Belgrade could have upheld Čamdžić as an example should the Banja Luka Mufti have accepted the medal. Serbia’s aggression that started to be directed toward the Islamic Community four years ago, said Zukorlić, was only the beginning and was aimed at fracturing the Islamic Community of BiH. This is why Zukrolić thanked Čamdžić in the name of the Islamic Community of Sandžak and Serbia and expressed his full support regarding the realization of rights for Muslims in Banja Luka, Republika Srpska.

President of the Bosniak National Council (BNV) Esad Džudžević reminded the Serbian government that the 60-day period, in which Bosniak Muslims of Sandžak should have received full rights, has come to an end. In statement released by the media, the BNV announced that it would hold a special meeting in which was to be decided how to internationalize and find a solution to the problem so as to protect the rights of Bosniaks guaranteed to them under the constitution.

According to Sandžak Live, the city of Novi Pazar is home to the youngest population of Europe. 49% percent of the city’s population is 29 years of age and younger as Džemaludin Paučinac who heads the City Office of the Young in Sandžak announced. The opening up of the Office for the Young as well as the Youth Center are both helping young people of Novi Pazar in gaining a better perspective while the young will provide the city with important creative input, said Paučinac. The centers offer training for the unemployed so as to become more attractive for the job market while other activities, including educational functions for the prevention of aids and excursions to foreign countries are planned.

After initial plans to build a highway from SJenica to Tutin or from Novi Pazar to Sjenica, Serbia’s minister for infrastructure Milutin Mrkonjić of Serbia’s Socialist Party (SP) announced that the project will not be realized. Originally, the construction of the highway was planned to be realized with the financial help from Turkey who allegedly loaned Serbia 30 million Euros for the project. Mrkonjić denied allegations by which Turkey withdrew funds for the project due to delays in the production thereof. Instead, said the minister, there were never any set plans for the construction of the highway and that Turkey was to pay for it. Turkish aid was simply to serve as an aid to the project while experts now estimate that it would be better if Serbia covered all expenses herself. This is contrary to reports released in 2009 according to which Tadić and Turkish president Abdulha Gul planned the realization of constructing highways that were to connect the towns of Tutin, Sjenica, Novi Pazar, Prijepolje, Novi Varoš and Proboj. The day was heralded as historic regarding the cooperation between Turkey and Serbia. Back then, Sandžak Press reports, it was stated that there would be no proper development if Sandžak remained disconnected from the rest of the country. Forwarding back to the future, Mrkonjić argued that the construction of a highway to and through Sandžak was not necessary. However, a couple of days later, minster of labour and social politics Rasim LJajić announced that the project might nevertheless be financed by Turkey. There were initial problems as funds for the first 51 kilometers from Beograd to Ljiga could not be secured while the three (not specified) Turkish construction companies asked for too much money regarding the price for the construction. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan offered another bid upon which Turkey lowered its price. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan will now pay for the first 51 kilometers for the highway due to a favorable 15-year loan at an interest rate of three percent. Meanwhile, so LJajić, it is possible that Turkey will construct the road over Pešter. The minister also recalled the renovation of the railway that will connect Raška to Novi Pazar – a project for which the Czek Republic indicated its interest. Also, there are plans for the implementation of charter flights between Kraljevo and Lađevcim. LJajić believes that without a proper infrastructure, nobody will show interest in investing in Sandžak which is why the realization of infrastructural projects remains important.

Ljajić announced that announced that Novi Pazar was to open free trade zones. The overall economic development will thus be strengthened while the inflow of foreign investment will be more attractive. Opening a free trade zone, said Ljajić, is the first step in aiding with the areas economic recovery.

“Carinski referat u Novom Pazaru postao ispostava”. Beta. accessed January 20, 2012. http://www.naslovni.net/2012-01-20/beta/carinski-referat-u-novom-pazaru-postao-ispostava/3113148

“Autoput kroz Sandžak, možda, ipak, grade Turci. Radio Televizija Vojvodine. Accessed January 20, 2012. http://rtv.rs/sr_lat/ekonomija/autoput-kroz-sandzak-mozda-ipak-grade-turci_295837.html

“SP Mrkonjić: Sandžaku putevi nisu ni potrebni”. Sandžakpress. Accessed January 20, 2012. http://sandzakpress.net/autoput-tamou-sandzaku-nije-ni-potreban-bdz

“Novi Pazar namlađi grad u Evropi”. Sandžaklive. Accessed January 20, 2012. http://sandzaklive.rs/index.php/world-news/war/16685-novi-pazar-najmlai-grad-u-evropi

“Džudžević: Internacionalizacija problema Sandžaka”. Radio Televizija Vojvodine. Accessed January 16, 2012. http://www.rtv.rs/sr_lat/politika/dzudzevic:-internacionalizacija-problema-sandzaka_294883.html

“Zukorlić ponosan na Čamdžića”. B92. Accessed January 14, 2012. http://www.b92.net.info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2012&mm=01&dd=14&nav_category=167&nav_id=573809

Republika Srpska

In Banja Luka, Božidar Stanišljević was transferred from the prison in Sarajevo to the detention facility near Banja Luka as was announced by the prison’s director Pero Dunjić. Earlier this week, Stanišljević (69) was suspected to have planned a terrorist attack at the ceremony held in Banja Luka for the 20^th year celebration of RS. Allegedly, Stanišljević confessed to have brought a bag to the festivities in which the police found automatic weapons with silencers, three kilos of plastic explosives, four bombs and a shotgun with 330 rounds of ammunition. According to the RS police, the lives of 1,000 people could have been jeopardized with the amount of ammunition carried by Stanišljević. The statement recalled the letter Džudžević had sent to president Boris Tadić, prime minister Mirko Cvetković and the parliamentary speaker Slavica Đukić Dejanović in which he demanded the unblocking of rights for Bosniaks resident in Sandžak.

“Osumnjičeni za terorizam pebačen iz sarajevskog u banjalučkui zatvor”. Blic. Accessed January 17, 2012. http://www.blic.rs?Vesti?Hronika/301847?Osumnjiceni-za-terorizam-prebacen-iz-sarajevskog-u-banjalucki-zatvor

Bosna i Herzegovina

The online newspaper Vesti Online reported that after the Dayton Agreement of 1995, leaders in the West – specifically those from the U.S., Great Britain and France – thought that BiH would grow to become a stable, multiethnic and democratic state after having lead the state with a “strong hand” toward that goal. However, the West’s attitudes toward the Western Balkans, as Vesti reports, does not differ from other “outside powers” that dominated the region before for centuries. Since then, the West has dictated how governments and people in the Balkans ought to behave if they wish to be seen as a modern, progressive and forward-looking people. If people in the Balkans did not behave the way Westerners saw fit, local leaders were blamed. In the years immediately following the Dayton Agreements, plans unfolded as envisioned by the West while difficulties soon started to stunt significant progress. Leaders in the Balkans were blamed for the halting development as they were seen to reject the “intelligent and profound policies recommended by the U.S., Great Britain and France”. In reality, according to the report published by Vesti, the governmental experiment of BiH never really functioned the way it was envisioned by the West. “The idea” of BiH never received much support neither from the society nor from the politicians who were supposed to lead this new entity. The differences among the ethnicities have become too vast, broken apart and unnatural so as to be united under one governmental umbrella. As a result, BiH’s existence remains to be a fiction that is solely upheld due to the Wests pressure and the inability and/or unwillingness of BiH politicians to dissolve BiH into its constituent parts. As such, BiH consists of perhaps two, or two and one half states. The official, though weak leadership is located in Sarajevo while the true sovereignty lies in BiH’s federation of Republike Srbske and the Croatian community. The two communities’ strength relative to Sarajevo is also the reason why the government could survive for so long without the official existence of a ministerial council. The reality is that the official institution has no significant influence over the lives of BiH’s citizens. On one side there is strong identification of Serbs, political and economical, with Republika Srpska while the Federation of BiH is torn with disputes among “Muslims (Bosniaks) and Croats while it is institutionally weak. Perhaps, Vesti further states, the lesson learned in the Balkans is that the Balkans need not to follow suit to the West. This is a lesson not yet learned by Bosniaks, but neither by Belgrade. However, there is also no need for hostility, to the contrary. Further relations, however, ought to be based on mutual respect and not on weakness and submission. Policies taken in the future must reflect the desires and wishes of the local population as well as the ability to “say no” to the West if need be. In all, there appear to be two options, either; BiH will stay together for the coming years whereby the weak leadership would remain in Sarajevo. Republika Srpska, then, would assume greater responsibility thus further alienating itself from the federation and perhaps the West will grow uninterested with BiH with the coming of new administrations. The other variant is that BiH will disintegrate more formally which depends on the growing strength of the remaining entities should BiH collapse.

Džemaludin Latić, professor of Islamic studies at the University in Sarajevo has, according to Sandžak live, come to the center of attention. The reason for this is the publication of a text in which he talks about Serbia’s aggressive effort of equalizing the role of aggressor and victim in BiH, the late Alija Izetbegović and the need to implement the Sharia in the IZ of BiH. At the outset of the interview, Latić was asked about the current situation of BiH as well as to Republika Srpska’s efforts of increasing the persecution of those involved during the war in Bosnia – especially the “legendary army commander of the Fifth Corps Atif Dudaković”. These are the years, said Latić, that will determine the outcome of BiH as an independent and sovereign state while the long campaign against those who uphold the importance of BiH’s sovereignty serves the purpose of erasing the genocide against Bosniaks and hide the aggression BiH has experienced. The campaign, according to Latić is conducted in silent but has in mind to destroy the legal sovereignty of BiH given that RS as well as the HDZ coalitions seek to establish laws beneficial to them. BiH, should this continue, will seize to exist. The laws in question regard questions of state property and governmental aid the clearest evidence of which, as Latić stated, is the ejection of Bosniaks and Croats from the land registries of RS – a policy conducted by Dodik. Latić further quoted Miro Lazović who in the past stated, “you (the West) intervened when there was a need to introduce and maintain an embargo on defense weaponry then proceeded by creating this Frankenstein-like state. Now it is time to intervene again so as to resolve the current situation based on international law”. Latić also lamented the Democratic Action Party’s (SDA) ineffectiveness and stated that Alija Izetbegović, either under intense pressure or a senile state due to old age, destroyed the party by putting Sulejman Tihić in charge of SDA. Tihić, as Latić stated is a communist prosecutor and most importantly, a man who roots/has rooted for the establishment of a greater Serbia. The interview soon turned to the question about who is responsible for the distribution of the tekfir ideology in BiH. Latić answered to this question that he knows who is not (italics added) responsible for the distribution of the Wahhabi ideology in BiH. Our friend and brother, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a state established upon the values of the Qur’an and the Hadith, who itself is fighting against terrorism and those who call themselves Wahhabis, is not at fault. Asked about the Turkish role and political involvement of the Turkish state in the Balkans, Latić explained that Turkish involvement “is a blessing in disguise and one that must be accepted and used”. Regarding as to how the Sharia law would be implemented as well as if such an endeavor is feasible; Latić explained that Bosniaks never had the chance to elect their religious representatives. This, explains Latić, has always been decided by the regime under which Bosniaks lived at the time. This, however, is not consistent under the Sharia’s electoral law that stipulates “unlimited and active voting rights for all Muslims according to Qur’anic values and procedures”.

Among the proposals to be considered by the new council of ministers of BiH will be the proposal regarding the de-radicalization of groups that pose a security threat as was announced by minister for security Sadik Ahmetović. The document, so the minister, has been in preparation before while the attack on the U.S. embassy sped up the development thereof. Ahmetović stated that he had warned those who sought to use the problem of Wahhabism and Salafism for political purposes following the attack. Doing so, the minister added, would obstruct the identification of those people that pose a potential terrorist threat. The problem is that there is no precedent according to which BiH officials could act to resolve the problem on the ground. His proposal, so Ahmetović, would change these circumstances.

Mevlid Jašarević, while waiting for his indictment, requested better prison conditions. Radio Televizija Srbije (RTS) reported that Jašarević’s lawyer Senad Dupovac, meanwhile, traveled to Gornja Maoča and Austria so as to be better prepared to defend his client. Jašarević is currently held at the central prison in Sarajevo from where he asked to be transferred to the court prison of Sarajevo because of favorable prison conditions. Jašarević, however, stated that he does not recognize the court due to its artificial creation while the court is worth nothing in the eyes of Allah.

“Jašarević traži bolje uslove”. RTS. Accessed January 11, 2012. http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/sr/story/11/Region?1024902/Jašarević+traž+bolje+uslove.html

“BiH se sprema za deradikalizaciju vehabija”. Radio Televizija Vojvodine. Accessed January 9, 2012. http://www.rtv.rs/sr_lat/region/bih-se-sprema-za-deradikalizaciju-vehabija_293704.html

“Latić – Novopazaarski mešihat je legalni sastavni dio IZ BiH”. Sandžaklive.rs. accessed January 16, 12. http://www.sandzaklive.rs/business-and-finance/company-finances/4293-lati-novopazarski-meihat-je-legalni-sastavni-dio-iz-bih.html

“Možda se BiH razbije na dve tri države”. Vesti Online. accessed January 7, 2011. http://www.vesti-online.com/Vesti/Ex-YU/192918/Mozda-se-BiH-razbije-na-dvetri-drzave

Republika Srpska

Mufti Čamdžić declined to receive a medal of honor that was awarded to him by president Milorad Dodik of Republika Srpska (RS). While the Mufti of RS was pleased that his efforts in bringing about peace and reconciliation were to be honored, he could not receive the medal as long as his congregation – Muslim Bosniaks – lived as second-class citizens, jobs in state run institutions were not equally divided among the population and people were free of fear in their houses and mosques while necessary steps would be taken so that people could return, and stay in their homes. With his rejection, the Mufti seeks to send a signal to the authorities of Banja Luka and the international community that Muslim Bosniaks are not satisfied with their situation in regards to their human rights.

Islamic organization across Bosnia i Herzegovina released a statement according to which January 9^th should be declared a day of genocide in Bosnia, and not marked as a day on which Republica Srpska was established. Referring to the statutes of the international criminal court of The Hague, Islamic Organizations of BiH believe that the month of January ought to be declared as “days of truth” in remembrance of the genocide that was committed by the state institution of RS. Marking the day with celebrations, as Blic reported, would just reopen wounds. As announced on the official website of BiH’s Islamic Rijaset, the Young Muslims propose to hold nationwide book presentations, exhibitions, roundtables, panel discussions and lectures so as to talk about genocide.

“Islamske organizacije u BiH protiv obeležavanja Dana RS”. Blic Online. accessed January 6, 2011. www.blic.rs/Vesti/Republika-Srpska/300071/Islamske-organizacije-u-BiH-protiv-obelezavanja-Dana-RS

“Ljudska prava ispred ordenja”. e-novine.com. accessed January 7, 2012. www.e-novine.com/region/region-bosna/56534-Ljudska-prava-ispred-ordenja.html

Sandžak

Muamer Zukorlić, chief Mufti of Serbia’s Islamic Community (IZ) seeks to establish an organization to be called the World Congress of Bosniaks (SBK). Zukorlić wishes to unite all Bosniaks under this umbrella organization to be represented with a seat at the United Nations (UN). He bases his proposal on the Jewish Congress and the people of Israel who, after the holocaust, received nation/statehood and subsequently a seat in the General Assembly. The close associate of Zukorlić Samir Tandir stated that BiH is not able to help Bosniaks resident in Sandžak while they are threatened and discriminated against. Therefore, said Tandir, additional measures must be taken – one of which is the creation of the SBK. The idea regarding the establishment of the SBK was received negatively in Belgrade where the question prevails whether a religious community is able to gain a seat at the UN. Sociologist Đorđević stated that only entities such as states – governments – can gain seats at the UN while religious communities can not, adding that while Israel does in fact have a seat at the UN, Jewish communities of Serbia, Albania and France do not. In Đorđević’s view, Zukorlić’s action is carried out in view of autonomy for Sandžak. Autonomy, according to the Sociologist, cannot be based on one faith and/or nationality only as there are other peoples that live in the area. Đorđević believes that the only accomplishment brought about with such measure will be the destabilization of Sandžak and thus the greater region. Rasim Ljajić, minister of labour and social policy, meanwhile found the idea amusing stating that “it would be best if Zukorlić sought to become Secretary General, a proposal that is equivalent to his (Zukorlić’s) own”. Belgrade’s Mufti Muhamed Jusufspahić who is known to be a critique of Zukorlić simply stated that it is a struggle for the national question of Bosniaks while Aida Ćorović, head of the Urban In NGO, stated that the idea was part of the pre-election campaign.

After Adem Zilkić’s recent proposal for Muamer Zukorlić and Zilkić to retire from the IZ and Zukorlić’s refusal to follow suit, Zilkić now states that Zukorlić is involved in criminal activities on the basis of which he could be charged should he leave office. Zilkić stated in an interview with Pravda that Zukorlić’s post protects him from “certain lawsuits related to crime”. Zilkić demented that Serbia’s Islamic community is an artificial creation. Instaed, Zilkić said, the Islamic community of Serbia has existed continuously since 1886 adding that it is Zukorlić’s Islamic community that is the true artificial creation and not based on the legal statues of the Serbian state. Answering the question as to the main problem of the IZ, Zilkić answered that there are two communities, one that was established lawfully and functions within legal boundaries while the other community operates in a grey zone. Zilkić argued that Zukorlić uses the IZ so as to promote his own interests adding that Zukorlić would not be able to “do what he does” where he not operating within this grey zone. Zilkić further assumed that Zukolrić’s main support came from Mustafa Cerić as well as from the former government. This is made evident, so Zilkić, in all of Zukolić’s unlawful actions while nobody seems to persecute him on the basis of those. Zilkić, however, did not specify which actions he was talking about nor did he mention any names associated regarding Zukorlić’s associates that are allegedly tied to Serbia’s former government. Asked if Zukorlić is not being scrutinized by the government on the basis of the governments need to secure votes from the Bosniak community, Zilkić stated that this is not the case as Zukorlić never made any political attempts. Zilkić’s involvement with the Bosniak National Council, Zilkić added, was more due to the indifference of the two other political options Bosniaks faced – the SDA and SDP. Further questions regarded the mediation process in which Turkey holds a diplomatic role – no significant progress, however, has been achieved at the time the interview was conducted while no direct contact with Turkey has been established yet regarding the mediation process. While politicians and religious leaders take active roles regarding the unification process of the IZ – or lack thereof – believers are not part of the bigger picture. According to Zilkić, without the influence of political and national factors, a solution could be found more easily.

The Turkish association “Forum” and the local government of Novi Pazar, Sandžak, are organizing the fair “Balkan Textiles 2012”. The Turkish ministry for economics is sponsoring this event that is held for the first time. There will be about 40 Turkish textile manufacturers at the fair in addition to local producers of textile, footwear and furniture. The local government foresees this fair to be the largest of its kind in the Balkans to which all textile production companies from Serbia and other regions are welcome. The goal of this fair is the establishment of business connections while getting to know one another. The local government of Novi Pazar has signed a five-year contract with Forum, located in Istanbul, according to which the fair will be held in Novi Pazar for the near future.

“Magnet za investore”. Dnevni List Danas. accessed January 10, 2012. http://www.danas.rs/dansasrs/srbija/htonika/magnet_za_investore_.73.html?news_id=231704

“Adem Zilkić: Zukorlić je umešan u kriminal”. Sandžaklive.rs. accessed January 9, 2012. http://www.sandzaklive.rs/business-and-finance/evonomy/4409-adem-zilki-zukorli-je-emean-u-kriminal.html

“Zukrolić traži stolicu u UN”. BalkanexpressRB. Accessed January 7, 2012. http://balkanexpress.co.rs/?page_id=8866

Serbia and the EU

The visit in late December 2011 of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s foreign policy and security advisor Kristof Hölzgen to Serbia was intended to make clear the conditions Serbia faces regarding the upcoming decision on Belgrade’s EU membership candidacy. Clearing the barricades in the areas of Jarinje and Brnjak were, according to Danas, of less importance compared to the parallel Serbian institutions in Kosovo. The understanding of what these institutions are, however, differ between Belgrade and, for instance, London, Paris and Berlin. When discussing parallel institutions in Kosovo, EU member states have in mind institutions such as police stations and courts that are, as Danas reported, funded by Belgrade while they are under the control of local criminals. Belgrade, on the other side, has in mind kindergartens, schools, local universities and hospitals. At any rate, eliminating parallel institutions are the most important factor deciding over Serbia’s EU candidacy status in March as was reported in late December.

Following Hölzgen’s visit, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party Čedomir Jovanović stated that nobody who wished for a “normal” future should recognize an independent Kosovo. Recognizing Kosovo, according to Jovanović’s words, “would be a crime against our children who would be poised to live on a hallmark of national frustration, humiliation and defeat that could culminate in retribution and revenge based on a new holy war for Kosovo”. Jovanović also stated that the current administration failed to take responsibility for its failure to secure EU membership status while Serbia has lost her right to expect anything in return from the EU.

Serbs resident in Kosovo meanwhile requested Kosovar license plates on masse as was reported by an international news agency in Kosovo. 4686 Serbian individuals exchanged their license plates, which is an uptick of 400 percent from November 2011. A Serb who was questioned why he chose to do so answered that driving to central Serbia cost him 100€ a day upon returning to Kosovo. Now, he only pays 400 Dinar when entering Central Serbia. In his words, he rather pays Belgrade than Kosovo when making a trip to Serbia.

“Srbi masovno traže kosovske tablice.” FOCUS. Accessed December 25, 2011. http://focusnewsinfo.wordpress.com/2011/12/25/srbi-masovno-traze-kosovske-tablice

“Niko normalan ne može priznati nezavisnost Kosova.” NoviMagazin.rs. accessed December 24, 2011. http://www.naslovni.net/2011-12-24/novi-magazin/niko-normalan-ne-moze-priznati-nezavisnost-kosova/3055746

“Absolutno jasne poruke Berlina”. Dnevni list Danas. accessed December 23, 2011. http://www.danas.rs/danasrs/politika/absolutno_jasne_poruke_berlina.56.html?news_id=230819

Sandžak

Deputy of the Sandžak List to the Serbian Parliament Esad Džudžević stated that claims for the autonomy for Sandžak are not separatist demands. Instead, autonomy would serve the reason of economic development to which, according to Džudžević, 95 percent of all Bosniaks of Serbia would agree. The Deputy added, however, that Muamer Zukorlić pursued separatist policies that were harmful to Muslims. Later on, Džudžević called on Bosniaks to unite so as to pursue the implementation of guaranteed national rights and the struggle for regional autonomy. At the celebration of the BNV’s two decade long existence, Džudžević that a united stance in regards to the past. A unified stance would also extend to squander attempts to rehabilitate the Četnik leader Draže Mihajlović and the Četnik movement that, according to Džudžević, harasses and insults Bosniaks while they steer Serbia away from EU membership. Džudžević also demanded the persecution of war criminals that were responsible for massive human rights violations against Bosniak residents of Sandžak in the period between 1991-1995.

Sulejman Ugljanin, minister without a portfolio, spoke of the Islamic Community (IZ) in Serbia stating that there should be unity among Muslims as there is unity in Serbia’s Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Jewish communities. The IZ, according to Ugljanin, did not exist for the Islamic leaders, but for the citizen who wish to exercise their religious rights. Ugljanin rejected previous claims by which he supposedly violated Serbia’s governmental regulations as he sat beside a member of the Kosovar delegation at a conference in Turkey. The conference, according to Ugljanin, was not of international nature. Instead, he visited Turkey, as did Bosniaks from other Balkan areas, as a descendent of Turkey. Ugljanin announced that his party, the Democratic Action Party of Sandžak (SDA) will hold a congress at which he plans to announce his strategy ahead of the upcoming elections in Serbia adding that he expected a better turnout for his party then in the recent past. The minister believes that this time around, citizens will know for whom to vote “as the fog has lifted and masks have fallen”. Sandžak, as Ugljanin explained, is a multinational and multireligious area where memories of a war ridden past and hatred do not exist. Instead, it is a place of religious and governmental tolerance – a fact recognized by the EU.

The city square of Novi Pazar, Sandžak, has no official name while according to the ruling party, the Sandžak Democratic Party (SDP) as well as the her opposition party, the Party of Democratic Action of Sandžak (SDA), the square carries the name Isa-beg Isaković. The name was received this year when Novi Pazar marked the existence of five and a half centuries. When the decision regarding the name of the square was made, the unified Serbian party, headed by the cities’ parliamentary speaker Borko Jovanović, left the assembly. Jovanović stated that he would not sign such a decision adding that he would leave it to Tariq Imamović who was supposed to head the following session. The open question regarding the name of the square, however, was forwarded to the ministry of human and minority rights who after a waiting period of three months time professed its inability to make a decision regarding the inquiry. The case attracted national attention and stirred national feelings that ware ascribable to the indecisiveness and lack of review of the council interethnic relations.

At a session held in Novi Pazar, the Bosnian National Council adopted a conclusion that set out to analyze the current state of education, culture, official languages, scripts, human rights and treatment of Bosniaks in Sandžak, Serbia. The BNV’s intentions are to work out a plan in accordance with the committee’s findings. At the session, the BNV also issued full support to Mustafa Cerić and his engagement regarding the protection of religious and national rights of Bosniaks in Bosnia i Herzegovina and Sandžak as well as the diaspora. The Council also sharply condemned Serbian president Boris Tadić as he, according to the BNV, returned to Milošević policies that were intended to create a greater Serbia. The following week the National Council of Sandžak opened an office in Sarajevo. According to the official website of the IZ of BiH, Enver Zornić will represent Sandžak in matters of national, political, economic and cultural interests.

In an interview with Blic Online, head of Serbia’s Islamic community Adem Zilkić proposed that both him and Muamer Zukorlić withdrawal from the Islamic community so as to open the door to reconciliation. Zilkić affirmed his believe that IZ seat ought to be located in Belgrade – Serbia’s capitol city – as is the case with the Islamic community of Montenegro, Macedonia and Turkey who based their IZ seat in their respective capitals. Zilkić further stated his expectation that Belgrade be a provider of services and mediator between the disparate Islamic communities while expecting from Turkey to be an impartial mediator in this process. In Zilkić’s words, Serbia’s Islamic community has been historically autonomous. Accordingly, Mustafa Cerić is the head of the Islamic community of BiH, and not the Islamic community of Serbia. However, should the national reconciliation want an Islamic community of/for Bosniaks, Cerić is welcome to implement muftiats upon verifying the mandates. However, the existence of a transnatinal Serbian Islamic community is not possible. Zilkić concluded on the note that the biggest problem of Serbia’s Muslims is the lack of religious infrastructure such as adequate spaces for prayer – the masjid, religious education and the lack of qualified personnel to carry out the implementation thereof. This is especially true for the Muslims of Sandžak. The problem is also of economical nature and it is a well knows problem that Muslim citizens reside on some of the least developed areas where infrastructure is only poorly developed while investment there is yet amiss. This situation brings about dissatisfaction and depression, especially among the young. Zukorlić answered to this proposal by stating that these are the doings of the Serbian regime who seeks the split of the IZ while Zilkić was the last man who could suggest anything regarding the IZ.

According to a report published by Novosti.rs, leader of the Wahhabi community of Vienna Hafiz Muhammad Porča finances the purchase of villages in BiH so as to set up communities whose existence is in line with the Sharia. Wahhabi’s, predominantly found in BiH, have since the war of the 1990’s bought over 300 Serbian and Croatian villages the latest example of which is the Serbian village of Gornja Dubnica in Kalesija. According to the head of Southeastern Europe’s counter terrorism team Dževad Galijašević, Porča created the “Unijon džemata selafijske dava” that is funded by Saudi Arabia. The Union in turn allegedly disperses funds to BiH as well as to Serbia and Macedonia and other villages that have become the property of Wahhabi’s. Galijašević argues that lawyers engaged in and around BiH and other regions in Austria perform the purchases. Obtained properties and places include Maoče near Brčko, Ošve near Maglaja and two villages near Zavidović Rujnice and Stog. Other villages whose property has been bought with funds coming from Vienna are villages near Hatkinje Nnjive and Jezero that border Republica Srpska. In Galijašević’s words, it is striking that many villages purchased are located in the boarder region between BiH and Republice Srpske. The villages meanwhile are organized according to jamaats and include between 20 – 100 houses. In the estimation of the counter terrorism team, there are about 730 such villages in BiH.

Muftija: Nema prgovora sa Zilkićem. Sandžak Press. Accessed January 3, 2012. http://sandzakpress.net/muftija-nema-pregovora-sa-zilkicem

“Vehabije parama iz Beča kupuju srpska sela.” Novosti.rs. accessed January 3, 2012. http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/naslova/aktuelno.293.html:360411-Vehabije-parama-iz-Beca-kupuju-srpska-sela

“Zilkić: Zukorlić i ja treba da se povučemo sa svih funkcija.” Blic Online. accessed January 3, 2012. http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Politika/299448/Zilkic-i-ja-treba-da-se-povucemo-sa-svih-funkcija

“U Sarajevo otvoreno predstavništvo Sandžaka.” Radio-Televizija Vojvodine. Accessed December 29, 2011. http://www.rtv.rs/sr_lat/politika/u-sarajevo-otvorneo-predstavnistvo-sandzaka-_292282.html

“Džudžević pozvao Bošnjake na konzensus.” Blic Online. accessed December 29, 2011. http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Politika/298393/Dzudzevic-pozvao-bosnjake-na-konzensus

“BNV: Podrška Reisu Ceriću i osuda povratka Tadića na Miloševićevu velikosrpsku politiku.” Bosnjaci.Net. accessed December 25, 2011. http://www.bosnjaci.net/prilog.php?pid=44552

“Trg u Novom Pazaru bez zvaničnog nazica.” FOCUS. Accessed December 26, 2011. http://focusnewsinfo.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/trg-u-novom-pazaru-bez-zvanicnog-naziva/

“Ugljanin: Treba nam objedinjena IZ.” FOCUS. Accessed 26, 2011. http://focusnewsinfo.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/ugljanin-treba-nam-objedinjena-iz/

“Autonomija Sandžaka ne znači separatizam.” FOCUS. Accessed December 25, 2011. http://focusnews.wordpress.com/2011/12/25/autonomija-sandzaka-ne-znaci-separatizam/

Muslim Lives in Eastern Europe: Gender, Ethnicity, & The Transformation of Islam in Postsocialist Bulgaria by Kristen Ghodsee. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2010. 204 pp. ISBN 978-0-691-13955-5. Reviewed by Sandra King-Savić.

Transforming religious practices within Bulgaria’s Pomak community in and around Madan are the focus in Kristina Ghodsee’s Muslim Lives in Eastern Europe: Gender, Ethnicity, & The Transformation of Islam in Postsocialist Bulgaria. Ghodsee inquires as to why Bulgarian Islamic traditions in this community have altered considerably since the fall of the Iron Curtain while religious practices in cities and/or villages around Madan retained their relatively lax habits cultivated following the demise of the Ottoman Empire and throughout the existence of Bulgaria’s socialist period. The implosion of the socialist system, resulting poverty, political and interdenominational infighting as well as faulty and/or the failed transition from socialism to capitalism serve as factors that explain changing religious habits in Bulgaria. Ghodsee traces how the traditionally lax Islamic traditions altered through six chapters starting with The Changing Face of Islam in Bulgaria, Names to be Buried with, Men and Mines, The Have-nots and the Have-nots, Divide and Be Conquered, Islamic Aid and ending with The Miniskirt and the Veil. The author stays true to her title and explains how gender and ethnic relations changed in Eastern Europe following the post socialist transformation whereby Islam may serve as a vehicle with which social justice – reminiscent of socialist values – is preserved.

Ghodsee opens her work by explaining how Madanchanis lived during the socialist era whereby one learns that people seemed to have had all necessary modern amenities, money – and above all, work. Men as well as women were employed in, or worked for the mines as well as for the greater good of the entire society. With the coming of democracy and capitalism, however, corruption and unemployment have become rampant, leading one of Ghodsee’s interlocutors to state that “I will tell you a hundred times…communism is better than democracy…For poor people, a hundred times”.[1] In fact, social inequality and poverty – economic as well as societal – may be the driving factors explaining the growing piety among Madan’s Muslims.

In contrast, the campaign by which Turkish/Muslim names were to be changed to Slavic ones, as well as the prohibition to practice religion for the duration of the socialist regime, created an aversion toward previously leading apparachiks and the socialist past . As a result, Muslims now freely embrace their faith.

Beyond the immediate connection to Bulgaria’s post socialist regime, however, Ghodsee also examines the interdenominational infighting regarding whom was to lead the Islamic Community and the resulting split between the “old and new ways” of Islamic practices. The author traces the origin of monetary aid and how such assistance – in the form of constructing mosques, providing scholarships for Islamic education in Jordan or Saudi Arabia and youth clubs, for instance, - deepens the rift between traditional and “foreign” Islamic practices.

Ghodsee’s book reads as a keenly researched work that is sensitive to the complex post socialist reality of Bulgaria’s Muslim community. This book is a must read for undergraduates who are eager to gain knowledge on post socialist Muslim communities in Eastern Europe, as well as for graduate students working on projects related to anthropological questions of gender and ethnicity in post socialist Muslim communities.

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[1] Ghodsee, Kristen. Muslim Lives in Eastern Europe: Gender, Ethnicity, & The Transformation of Islam in Postsocialist Bulgaria. New Jersey: Princeton University (2010). 97.