Rivals Battle to Lead North Macedonia Islamic Community

Tensions that erupted in North Macedonia between two opposing groups of clerics in the official Islamic Community, IVZ, have shown no sign of subsiding after its new self-proclaimed head, backed by a court ruling, on Wednesday said he would seek police aid to enter the headquarters of the IVZ, which he said his rival had "occupied".

Skender Buzaku on Tuesday proclaimed himself the new head of the IVZ - but faces strong opposition from the current head, Sulejman Rexhepi, who has accused him of staging an attempted coup.

He told A1 On news portal on Wednesday that the first thing he would do is ask the police to help him take control over the IVZ building. Buzaku said his rightful workplace was currently still "occupied" by his rival.

The court register of churches, religious communities and groups on Wednesday confirmed Buzaku as the new head of the IVZ. This comes after the Skopje Basic Court 2 on April 17 ruled in favour of Buzaku's claim and instructed his name to be recorded in the register.

The ruling was, the court said, based on evidence that Buzaku submitted of an IVZ session held on March 30 in which it noted a change in leadership. The group around Rexhepi insists this session was illegal.

The dispute went public on Tuesday evening when Buzaku, who is part of a group within IVZ demanding changes, proclaimed himself the new head of the Islamic Religious Community, citing the court ruling.

"Starting from tomorrow [Wednesday], we are giving a pledge and starting to organise ourselves as believers. I am the new head of the IVZ … based on all the internal [IVZ] acts and on a court ruling," Buzaku told the media.

Police were sent the same night to the headquarters of the IVZ to prevent things from...