Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), Hostilities between the leaders of the Macedonian Islamic Religious Community, IVZ, and its breakaway Imam, Ramadan Ramadani, will halt during the holy month of Ramadan, both sides have said.
At the start of the holy month on Wednesday, IVZ head Sulejman Rexhepi called on Muslim believers to spend the holiday in peace and to try to overcome the current schism in their ranks. Imam Ramadani, who controls one of the central mosques in the Macedonian capital of Skopje without the consent of IVZ and is collecting signatures calling for the resignation of Rexhepi, said he would temporarily freeze the initiative.
Ramadani told Balkan Insight: “In only one week we gathered over 7000 signatures calling for the discharge of the head, Sulejman Rexhepi.
"Our initiative will be on hold during the holy month of Ramadan, but after that we will spread our action all across Macedonia.”
Ramadani has accused Rexhepi of financial misconduct, which Rexhepi has denied, and called upon all other Imams to gather strength and overthrow the IVZ leader.
Rexhepi has said: “IVZ has marked positive results and so it will continue, no matter some structures who wish to impede in its path and hamper its success.”
Hostilities started two months ago when the Skopje branch of IVZ dismissed Ramadani from his post as Imam at the Isa-Bey mosque.
They accused him of spreading radical Wahhabi teachings to his followers that go against the traditional moderate Islam practiced in the Balkans.
In July, Rexhepi told media that he and the IVZ had tried to hide the fact that radical Islam was taking roots in the country, in the hope that those practicing it would repent and come back to the flock.
But he said after this did not happen they decided to come out in public.
He then said that the radicals control at least four big mosques in Skopje, and asked for police protection.
Ramadani has denied IVZ claims that he supports radicals.
Last month, Ramadani refused to give up control over the Isa-Bey mosque to a newly appointed Imam from IVZ. IVZ representatives from the mosque were chased away shortly after.
The police minister, Gordana Jankulovska has said the police would react only if public order is breached or if IVZ proves in court that their mosques have been taken unlawfully.
She added the police were continuing to investigate the incident and keeping a close eye on all suspicious radical religious activities in the country.
The Islamic community in Macedonia is the second-largest after the Orthodox Christians.
The majority of ethnic Albanians in the country, who make up a quarter of the population, are followers of Islam.
The holy month of Ramadan - the ninth month in the Islamic calendar - marks 30 days of fasting, prayer and humility.
The believers then ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.
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