Islamic Community of Kosova


The Islamic Community of Kosovo, is an independent religious organization of Muslims in Kosovo and the Preshevo Valley. The community's headquarters are located in Pristina and their current leader, the Grand Mufti, is Naim Tërnava.

History

Organized Islamic activities have taken place in Kosovo since the Ottoman Empire ruled over the region. All Muslims of the empire were part of the Islamic community, which was headed by the Sultan.
During the reign of Sultan Murad II, responsibilities of the caliph were transferred to the Grand Mufti. Since then, the Grand Mufti was given the honorific scholarly title Sheykhul-Islam and considered the highest religious authority within the Ottoman Empire. Additionally, every region inhabited by Muslims has had its own mufti. Each regional mufti was subordinate to the Sheykhul-Islam.
During the period 1941 to 1956, the faith community in Kosova joined the Albanian Muslim community, based in Sarajevo. The Islamic community of Kosovo then declared independence from the Rijaset on 11 December, 1993.

Kosovo Conflict (1998-1999)

The central historical archive belonging to the Islamic Community of Kosovo containing community records spaning 500 years was burned down on June 13, 1999 by Yugoslav Serb police after an armistice and some hours prior to the coming of NATO peacekeeping troops to Prishtinë. The Hadum Suleiman Aga library in Gjakovë, was burned down by Yugoslav Serb troops resulting in the loss of the regional archives of the Islamic Community spanning to the 17th century.

Modern period

On 26 November 2019, an earthquake struck Albania. The Islamic Community of Kosovo organised a fundraising effort on 29 November after Friday prayers across all its mosques within the country and sent several convoys of aid to earthquake victims.

Structure

The Islamic community of Kosovo is divided into 8 regions :