Islamic leader: Macedonians are wild people with no identity

Reis Sulejman Rexhepi recently referred to Macedonians as wild people, the website Plus Info is reporting.

During a groundbreaking ceremony for a mosque in the village of Arnakija, Rexhepi uttered insults at the expense of the Macedonian people, which caused a storm of reactions and concern that the Islamic dignitary's statements pose a serious threat to coexistence in the country, and that they spread religious and ethnic intolerance.
"We don't mind them building churches, but we will never be silent when they are blocking us from building mosques," said Rexhepi. "Can you imagine what kind of wild people we live with. These are unique examples of wild people, they have no identity and never will, regardless of us wanting to help them. One can't help those without a soul who are not coming to their senses," said the head of the Islamic Community in North Macedonia.
Later, Rexhepi tried to justify his speech stating that he was "misinterpreted" and that his statement had been taken out of context, adding that the "wild people" reference "did not apply to Macedonians - but only to the inhabitants of the village of Lazec."
His statements have been condemned by the government of North Macedonia and by the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities.