MACEDONIA: LEADERSHIP CRISIS IN ISLAMIC COMMUNITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SKOPJE 000559

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: LEADERSHIP CRISIS IN ISLAMIC COMMUNITY
OF MACEDONIA QUIETS AT START OF RAMADAN

SUMMARY


1. (SBU) On the eve of Ramadan the reinstatement of Skopje
Mufti Taxhedin Bislimi by Islamic Community of Macedonia
(ICM) President Sulejman Rexhepi marked an easing of tensions
over leadership of the organization. The two sides had
carried out a bitter battle in the media and in a
letter-writing campaign to GoM leaders and foreign missions
for nearly a month following Bislimi's ousting by Rexhepi.
Since Rexhepi took the helm of the regrettably politicized
ICM in 2006 with DPA support, most observers expected
challenges to his leadership when rival ethnic Albanian party
DUI took the ruling-coalition spot formerly held by DPA in
July. There are indications that Mufti Bislimi is not alone
in wanting change in the ICM leadership, as one imam and
analyst reported to us that many muftis are only awaiting
political "cover" from DUI to force Rexhepi out. DUI
leadership, though, does not seem to be interested in playing
an active role in shaping the ICM or determining its
leadership. The quieted tensions are expected to last at
least through Ramadan, but problems of factions within the
ICM are expected to continue. End Summary.


2. (SBU) ICM President Sulejman Rexhepi, some suggest in an
effort to secure his leadership of the traditionally
politicized ICM following the shift of ethnic Albanian
political power from DPA to DUI, led a sudden re-write of the
ICM's constitution in late July. Critics say the revisions
concentrated power in the office of the Presidency, limited
the autonomy of mosques, and ended the power-sharing
arrangement of the Assembly of Muftis. Skopje Mufti Taxhedin
Bislimi openly opposed the constitutional changes, and
Rexhepi discharged him from his position on August 8. The two
sides then battled for nearly a month in the media and
through a letter-writing campaign aimed at both the GoM and
the international community. We met with Rexhepi in late
August to make clear that we would not become involved in the
leadership dispute and to suggest that the ICM's key focus
should be the spiritual needs of its community members rather
than faction-based or politically-driven power struggles.


3. (SBU) Imam and analyst Ramadan Ramadani told us in an
August meeting that Bislimi's opposition to Rexhepi is
indicative of broader unrest within the ICM, saying that
other muftis and imams are "just waiting for the signal" to
openly oppose Rexhepi's leadership and force changes at the
top of the ICM. That "signal," according to Ramadani, would
be political cover in the form of an assurance from DUI
President Ahmeti that he would instruct the Ministry of
Interior to provide the security needed to allow changes at
the top of the ICM, including responding quickly and firmly
to any threats issued by Rexhepi. However, in an August 27
meeting with the Ambassador, Ahmeti indicated that he would
not/not become involved in the politics of leadership of the
ICM.


4. (SBU) In a surprise move on August 26, Rexhepi authorized
the reinstatement of Bislimi as Mufti of Skopje, calling the
action an effort to "seek reconciliation a week ahead of the
holy month of Ramadan." Analyst Ramadani calls the
reinstatement a "temporary solution," certain that muftis who
oppose Rexhepi's changes to the ICM constitution, notably the
Muftis of Gostivar and Tetovo, will join Bislimi in seeking
to oust Rexhepi after the end of Ramadan (September 30).


5. (SBU) Comment: With each public debate over the
leadership of the ICM or individual mosques, the organization
is viewed as increasingly less in-touch with the needs of its
members. In a May visit to Skopje's Hatunxhik Mosque,
leadership of which was caught up in DPA/DUI political
in-fighting during the parliamentary elections campaign,
worshippers told us of their strong interest in removing
politics from their mosque and the ICM, and re-focusing its
leadership on spiritual matters. While traditionally
politicized, the ICM has further splintered in recent months,
and factions within the organization cannot be linked simply
to political affiliation. Insiders describe as many as five
separate groups within the ICM competing for leadership and
resources. If Ahmeti holds true to his stated desire to
de-politicize the ICM, the competing factions within the ICM
will have to work out a leadership arrangement on their own,

SKOPJE 00000559 002 OF 002


hopefully taking into consideration the interests of ICM
membership in a spiritually-focused organization. We expect
that public airing of leadership tensions in the ICM will
resurface following Ramadan. End Comment.



Navratil