Simonovic: Radical Islam suppressed in Kosovo, but incidents cannot be ruled out

Srdjan Simonovic from the NGO "Human Center" in North Mitrovica believes that after Hamas's attack on Israel, if the conflict in the Gaza Strip escalates, the danger of radical Islamism emerging in Kosovo cannot be ruled out.

Simonovic says for Kosovo Online that the security system in Kosovo is controlled by Western services, which, in his opinion, prevents the appearance of Islamic radical groups in significant numbers, however, he also adds that no one can guarantee that there are no dangers.

"The Albanian community in Kosovo follows the Sunni Islam of the Hanafi group, which is not so radical. In fact, such a group is identical in Palestine. Radical Islam has been largely suppressed in Kosovo and Metohija in recent years. By chance, this is also because the security system in Kosovo is controlled by Western services, so it is under their 'umbrella,' which, in any case, prevents the appearance of Islamic radical groups in significant numbers. But no one could dare to guarantee that there will be no sporadic incidents," he believes.

Simonovic points out that Kosovo is the area that has contributed the most in terms of percentages to ISIS fighters – more than 400 fighters.

"A lot of people had returned. I think the Kosovo Government has done a pretty good job with these individuals, and many of them have been sentenced to long prison terms. There was also a reintegration process supervised by Western factors. What I believe exists is the risk that the conflict in Gaza spreads and includes Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. If it encompasses a larger part, there is a risk that it may appear here," Simonovic says.

Regarding extremist organizations operating in Kosovo and recruiting people, Simonovic emphasizes that these organizations existed earlier and that in the last two years, there has been a lack of data due to the operation in Syria ending, and ISIS no longer holds a prominent place as it has been suppressed.

"We still have Salafists, who, like Hanafis and Wahhabis, belong to a Sunni branch. They are mostly concentrated in Pristina, and we can see an aggressive policy by Saudi Arabia, whose dominant religion is Wahhabism. They are insisting on building many mosques in Kosovo. As far as I know, there are more than 600 mosques in Kosovo, half of which are financed with money from Saudi Arabia, promoting the Wahhabi movement, which advocates original radical Islam but is quite aggressive in its appearances and recruitment," Simonovic notes.

Commenting on the announcement by Kosovo's Mufti Naim Trnava that 1,000 more mosques will be built in Kosovo, he says he is not sure if this will happen because Kosovo longs for an identity it does not yet possess.

"I am not sure if they will build a religious identity and something that goes against secularity, even though they had the famous Imam Krasniqi, who was even convicted and was one of the biggest recruiters. We also have Lavdrim Muhaxheri, the 'Butcher from Kacanik,' who was killed directly in battles in the Middle East and led a unit composed of people from Kosovo and also others from Europe. I am not sure that it will be of significant volume, but attempts will, of course, be made. Perhaps a few more mosques will be built, but not 1,000; that is more than clear," Simonovic said.