y gathering 39 local scholars, experts, and civil society activists specialized in racism and human rights, the fourth edition of the European Islamophobia Report addresses a still timely and politically important issue. All 34 country reportsB included in this book follow a unique structure that is convenient, first, for com- EUROPEAN paring country reports and, second, for selected readings on a particular topic such as politics, employment, or education with regards to Islamophobia across Europe. ISLAMOPHOBIA The present report investigates in detail the underlying dynamics that directly or indirectly support the rise of anti-Muslim racism in Europe. This extends from Islamophobic state- ments spread in national media to laws and policies that restrain the fundamental rights REPORT of European Muslim citizens. As a result, the European Islamophobia Report 2018 dis- cusses the impact of anti-Muslim discourse on human rights, multiculturalism, and the 2018 state of law in Europe. This fourth edition of our report highlights how European societies are challenged by the ENES BAYRAKLI • FARID HAFEZ (Eds) rise of violent far-right groups that do not only preach hatred of Muslims but also partici- pate in the organization of bloody terror attacks. The rise of far-right terrorist groups such as AFO (Action of Operational Forces) in France or the network Hannibal in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland confirms EUROPOL’s alarming surveys on the growing danger of right-wing terrorism. This year, SETA worked in cooperation with the Leopold Weiss Institute, an Austrian NGO based in Vienna dedicated to the research of Muslims in Europe. In addition, the Euro-

pean Union has funded the European Islamophobia Report 2018 through the program EUROPEAN ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT 2018 “Civil Society Dialogue Between EU and Turkey (CSD-V)”.

About SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) is a non-profit research institute based in Turkey dedicated to innovative studies on national, regional and interna- tional issues. SETA is the leading think tank in Turkey and has offices in Ankara, Istanbul, Washington D.C. and Cairo. The objective of SETA is to produce up-to-date and accu- rate knowledge and analyses in the fields of politics, economy, and society, and inform policy makers and the public on changing political, economic, social, and cultural condi- tions. Through research reports, publications, brain storming sessions, conferences and policy recommendations, SETA seeks to guide leaders in government, civil society, and business, and contributes to informed decision making mechanisms. ENES BAYRAKLI • FARID HAFEZ (E ds)

ANKARA • ISTANBUL • WASHINGTON D.C. • CAIRO • BERLIN • BRUSSELS EUROPEAN ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT 2018

ENES BAYRAKLI • FARID HAFEZ (Eds)

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors of the national reports; and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union and and Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Directorate for EU Affairs. COPYRIGHT © 2019 by SETA All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, without permission in writing from the publishers.

ISBN: XX

First Published in 2019

Cover: Erkan Söğüt Proofreading: Dr. Eva Stamoulou Oral

SETA | FOUNDATION FOR POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH Nenehatun Caddesi No: 66 GOP Çankaya 06700 Ankara TÜRKİYE Phone:+90 312.551 21 00 | Fax :+90 312.551 21 90 www.setav.org | [email protected] | @setavakfi

SETA | İstanbul Defterdar Mh. Savaklar Cd. Ayvansaray Kavşağı No: 41-43 Eyüpsultan İstanbul TÜRKİYE Phone: +90 212 315 11 00 | Fax: +90 212 315 11 11 SETA | Washington D.C. 1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1106 Washington, D.C., 20036 USA Phone: 202-223-9885 | Fax: 202-223-6099 www.setadc.org | [email protected] | @setadc SETA | Cairo 21 Fahmi Street Bab al Luq Abdeen Flat No 19 Cairo EGYPT Phone: 00202 279 56866 | 00202 279 56985 | @setakahire

SETA | Berlin Französische Straße 12, 10117 Berlin GERMANY Phone: +49 30 20188466 SETA | Brussels Avenue des Arts 27, 1000 Bruxelles, BELGIQUE www.setav.org/en | [email protected] ABOUT EDITORS Enes Bayraklı Enes Bayraklı earned his BA, MA and PhD from the Department of Political Science at the University of Vienna, and conducted research for his PhD thesis at the Uni- versity of Nottingham in Britain between 2009 and 2010. He was a deputy director at the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center in London in 2011-2013. Bayraklı also served as the founding director of the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centers in Con- stanta and Bucharest, Romania in August-December 2012. He has been a faculty member at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the Turkish-German University since 2013. Currently he is also the coordinator of SETA Brussels office and director of European Studies at SETA Foundation. His fields of- re search include Islamophobia in Europe, far-right movements in Europe, the transfor- mation of Turkish foreign policy, foreign policy analysis, and German foreign policy.

Farid Hafez Farid Hafez, PhD (Political Science, University of Vienna), is currently lecturer and researcher at the University of Salzburg, Department of Political Science and So- ciology and senior researcher at Georgetown University’s “The Bridge Initiative” at the School of Foreign Service. He defended his habilitation thesis on “Islam-Politics in the Second Republic of Austria” at the University of Salzburg. In 2017, he was a Fulbright visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley and in 2014, he was a visiting scholar at Columbia University, New York. Since 2010 he has been the editor of Islamophobia Studies Yearbook, and since 2016 the co-editor of European Islamophobia Report. Hafez has received the Bruno Kreisky Award for the “Political Book of the Year” for his anthology Islamophobia in Austria (co-edited with John Bunzl). He has more than 80 publications in leading journals such as Politics and Religion, Patterns of Prejudice, and German Politics and Society. His latest publica- tions are Islamophobia in Muslim Majority Societies (Routledge, co-edited with Enes Bayrakli) and Feindbild Islam. Über die Salonfähigkeit von Rassismus (Böhlau).

For more information about the EIR: www.islamophobiaeurope.com [email protected] ISLAMOPHOBIA IN NORTH MACEDONIA

ISLAMOPHOBIA IN NORTH MACEDONIA NATIONAL REPORT 2018

ORHAN CEKA

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The Author Orhan Ceka is a PhD candidate in the Law and Politics program at the University of Graz, working on the governance of Islam in the Balkans. Ceka has an MA degree in Democracy and Human Rights from the University of Bologna/Sarajevo with a focus on the identity of Balkan Muslims. He conducted studies for his MA on public policy at Sabanci University, Istanbul. Ceka has worked at the Southeast European University, the Centre for Southeast European Studies (CSEES) at the University of Graz, Sabanci University, and was the director of the Liberal Alternative Institute in Tetovo, North Macedonia. His research interests are in the fields of politics of reli- gion, identity politics, Balkan Muslims, and religious institutions, movements and organizations.

Disclaimer: Statements of fact and opinion in the national reports of the European Islamophobia Report are those of the respective authors. They are not the expression of the editors or the funding institutions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union and Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Directorate for EU Affairs.

To cite this report: Orhan Ceka: Islamophobia in North Macedonia: National Report 2018, in: Enes Bayrak- lı & Farid Hafez, European Islamophobia Report 2018, Istanbul, SETA, pp. 621-640.

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Executive Summary Despite the many issues that were brought to the forefront during the referendum for the name change in North Macedonia, the process did not lead to higher levels of religious intolerance within the community. However, as it has been the case pre- viously, Albanians were targeted both with the Law on the Use of Languages which is supposed to make the Albanian language used nationally, and with the referendum where Albanians are viewed as citizens with no say on the name issue. Discrimination, Islamophobia, and hate speech have been present during 2018; however, in a lower number of incidents as compared to previous years. Interethnic disputes have consequently led to some incidents on a religious level such as the burning of a mosque or cases of discrimination based on religious affiliation. Few incidents that occurred in 2018 put North Macedonia on the Islamophobia map. A 350-year-old mosque was burnt as a hate crime in Prilep, the eastern part of the country, while on the western part, in Ohrid, heated discussions over the size of a minaret have stalled the restoration process of the mosque itself. Madrasas are still fighting to get legal recognition by the Ministry of Education, while a primary school in Radovish was fined for allowing an iftar dinner to be organized in its prem- ises. Furthermore, a case of discrimination in employment of a hijabi teacher was reported to the Ombudsman but no mention of it was made in the annual report, let alone any action taken to shed light on the case. On the political level, 2018 saw clashes between the government and MPs, and the president of the Islamic Commu- nity of North Macedonia. The Islamic Community of North Macedonia has not really positioned itself as the pioneer in the protection of the rights of Muslims in the country, leaving the space instead to human rights organizations. The involvement of the Islamic Com- munity with the state institutions in detecting and fighting Islamophobia is more than necessary.

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Извршно резиме И покрај многуте прашања кои беа отворени за време на референдумот за промена на името во Северна Македонија, самиот процес не доведе до по- високи нивоа на верска интолеранција во самата држава. Сепак, како што беше случај претходно, Албанците беа таргетирани како со Законот за упо- треба на јазиците, кој предвидува употреба на албанскиот јазик на наци- онално ниво, како и со референдумот каде што Албанците се сметаат за граѓани без глас во прашањето за името. Дискриминацијата, исламофобијата, говорот на омраза врз верска осно- ва беа присутни во текот на 2018 година, сепак, во помал број инциденти во споредба со претходните години. Меѓуетничките спорови доведоа до некои инциденти на религиозно ниво, како што се согорувањето на џамија или случаи на дискриминација врз основа на исламска верска припадност. Неколку инциденти што се случија во текот на 2018 година, сепак, ја ставија Северна Македонија на картата на исламофобијата. 350-годишна џамија беше изгорена како злосторство од омраза во Прилеп, источниот дел на земјата, додека на западниот дел, во Охрид, разгорените разговори за големината на минарето го задушуваат процесот на реставрација на сама- та џамија. Медресите сé уште се борат за нивното признавање од страна на Министерството за образование, додека основно училиште во Радовиш беше казнето за тоа што дозволија ифтарска вечера да биде организирана во нејзините простории. Истотака, еден случај на дискриминација при врабо- тување на наставничка со хиџаб бил пријавен кај Народниот правобрани- тел, иако истиот не се споменува во годишниот извештај, камоли да биде преземена акција за да се разјасни случајот. На политичко ниво, во 2018 година се случија неколку судири меѓу владата и пратениците, и претседа- телот на Исламската заедница на Северна Македонија. Исламската заедница на Северна Македонија не се постави како пионер за заштитата на правата на муслиманите во Македонија, оставајќи простор на организациите за човекови права да го дополнат вакумот. Поголемо вклу- чување на Исламската заедница во соработка со државните институции во откривањето и борбата против исламофобијата е повеќе од потребно.

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Përmbledhja ekzekutive Përkundër shumë çështjeve që u hapën gjatë referendumit për ndryshimin e emrit në Maqedoninë e Veriut, vet procesi nuk ka ndikuar në rritjen e nivelit të jotolerancës fetare brenda shtetit. Megjithatë, siç ka ndodhur edhe më parë, shqiptarët janë tar- getuar si me Ligjin për përdorimin e gjuhëve që supozohet të zgjerojë përdorimin e gjuhës shqipe në nivel kombëtarë, ashtu edhe me referendumin ku shqiptarët shihen si qytetarë pa të drejtë fjale në çështjen e emrit. Diskriminimi, islamofobia, gjuha e urrejtjes në bazë të përkatësisë fetare is- lame kanë qenë të pranishme gjatë vitit 2018, megjithatë, në numër më të vogël incidentesh në krahasim me vitet e mëparshme. Në shumë raste, mosmarrëveshjet ndëretnike kanë rezultuar me incidente në nivel fetar, siç janë djegja e një xhamie apo rastet e diskriminimit të bazuara në përkatësinë fetare. Disa incidente që kanë ndodhur gjatë vitit 2018 megjithatë kanë vënë Ma- qedoninë e Veriut në hartën e Islamofobisë. Një xhami e vjetër 350 vite u dogj si pasojë i një krimi të urrejtjes në Prilep, në pjesën lindore të vendit, ndërsa në pjesën perëndimore, në Ohër, diskutimet e nxehta mbi lartësinë e një minare kanë bllokuar procesin e restaurimit të xhamisë. Madreset ende po luftojnë për të marrë njohje ligjore nga Ministria e Arsimit, ndërsa një shkollë fillore në Radovish u gjobit për lejimin e një darke iftar në ambientet e saj. Për më tepër, një rast diskriminimi në punësimin e një mësueseje me hixhab u raportua te Avokati i Popullit, edhepse rasti nuk përmendet në raportin vjetor, e lëre më të jetë marrë një veprim për të hedhur dritë mbi rastin. Në nivelin politik, gjatë vitit 2018 ka pasur përplasje mes qeverisë dhe deputetëve, dhe kryetarit të Bashkësisë Islame të Maqedonisë Veriore. Bashkësia Fetare Islame e Maqedonisë Veriore nuk e ka vënë veten si pioner i mbrojtës të të drejtave të myslimanëve në Maqedoni, duke lënë hapësirën për or- ganizatat e të drejtave të njeriut për të mbushur vakumin e mbetur. Përfshirja më e madhe e Bashkësisë Fetare Islame në bashkëpunim me institucionet shtetërore në zbulimin dhe luftimin e islamofobisë është më se e nevojshme.

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Country Profile Country: North Macedonia Type of Regime: Representative democracy Form of Government: Parliamentary Republic Ruling Parties: Coalition SDSM and DUI (leftist), RDK and Alternativa Opposition Parties: VMRO-DPMNE and Coalition “For a better Macedonia” (right-wing), AA, Besa Last Elections: 2016 Parliamentary Elections (VMRO DPMNE: 51 seats [39.4%]; SDSM: 49 seats [37.9%]; DUI: 10 seats [7.5%]; Besa Movement: 5 seats [5%]; Alliance for Albanians: 3 seats [3%]; DPA: 2 seats [2.7%]). Current government coalition is a leftist one. Total Population: 2,022,547 (2002 Census) Major Languages: Macedonian and Albanian Official Religion:No official religion (Secularism), although the constitution lists five religious groups: the Macedonian Orthodox Church, the Islamic Religious Com- munity in Macedonia, the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Methodist Church, and the Jewish Community. Statistics on Islamophobia: N/A Statistics on Racism and Discrimination: N/A Major Religions (% of Population): Macedonian Orthodox 64.8%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.4%, other and unspecified 1.5% (2002 est.) Muslim Population (% of Population): 700,000 (33.3%) according to 2002 Cen- sus (Macedonia 2017 International Religious Freedom Report) Main Muslim Community Organizations: Islamic Religious Community of Mace- donia Main NGOs Combating Islamophobia: Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of North Macedonia, NGO Legis Far-Right Parties: N/A Far-Right Movements: N/A Far-Right Terrorist Organizations: N/A Limitations to Islamic Practices − Hijab Ban: No − Halal Slaughter Ban: No − Minaret Ban: No − Circumcision Ban: No − Burka Ban: No − Prayer Ban: No

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IntroductionIntroduction For NorthFor Macedonia,North Macedonia, 2018 was 2018 a decisive was a decisiveyear. After year. almost After 3 decades almost of3 dediplocades- of diplomatic disputes matic disputeswith Greece with , Greece,the country the country changed changed its name its name constitutionally constitutionally from from Republic of Macedonia to RepublicRepublic of Macedonia of North to RepublicMacedonia. of North The referendumMacedonia. Thethat precededreferendum this that process pre- opened up the way to ceded this process opened up the way to several dichotomies: the patriots versus the several dichotomies: the patriots versus the traitors, the Macedonians versus the Albanians, the traitors, the Macedonians versus the Albanians, the ones “with a homeland” versus the onesones “without “with aa homeland”,homeland” theversus West the versus ones the “without East, the a homeland ones that ”boycott, the West the versus the East, the ones referendumthat boycottversus the the ones referendum that promote versus it. the While ones previously that promote any ittype. While of voting previously any type of voting process would spark an array of interethnic incidents, the referendum passed without process would spark an array of interethnic incidents, the referendum passed without any major any major clashes between the two major ethnic groups.1 clashes between the two major ethnic groups.1

Figure 1: “Death for Albanians” graffiti in Bitola.2 Figure 1: “Death for Albanians” graffiti in Bitola.2 As noted in the previous EIR reports on Macedonia, in the Republic of North Macedonia religious As noted in the previous EIR reports on Macedonia, in the Republic of North 3 Macedoniaand ethnicreligious differences and ethnic almostdifferences coincide almost and coincide in many3 and cases in many interethnic cases inter incidents- also portray or are ethnic incidentsaided by alsointerreligious portray or areintolerance aided by .interreligious A case in point intolerance. is portrayed A case in in Figurepoint 1 where on 18 January, is portrayed2018 ina photographFigure 1 where of a ongraffiti 18 January, on a building 2018 a wall photograph in Bitola of was a graffiti shared onon sociala media. The graffiti building wall in Bitola was shared on social media. The graffiti “Смрт за Шиптари!” “Смрт за Шиптари!” and “Vdekje për Shqiptarët!” (death for Albanians) was written in both the and “Vdekje për Shqiptarët!” (death for Albanians) was written in both the Macedo- nian andMacedonian Albanian languages and Albanian as an ironylanguages related as to an the irony bill relatedon usage to of the minority bill on usagelan- of minority languages.4 guages.4Many Many cases cases of ethnicethnic hatred hatred have have elements elements of ofIslamophobia Islamophobia as well. as well . Additionally, there is an increasing trend of anti-Turkey and anti-Erdogan senti- ments which in many cases border with an Islamophobic narrative. While the narrative

1. Given that this report covers the period from 1 January, 2018 to 31 December, 2018, for more information on the political1 Given situation that in the this previous report year covers and how the it period has affected from the 1 Islamophobia-related January, 2018 to incidents,31 December, please consult 2018, for more information on the the Islamophobiapolitical in situationMacedonia: in National the previous Report 2017.year and how it has affected the Islamophobia-related incidents, please consult the 2. D.T., “ВоIslamophobia Битола се почитува in Macedonia: двојазичноста National”, Civil Report Media, 2017. 18 January 2018, https://civilmedia.mk/vo-bito- 2 la-s-potchituva-dvoazitchnosta/, D.T., “Во Битола (Access се почитува date: 1 September двојази 2019).чноста”, Civil Media, 18 January 2018, https://civilmedia.mk/vo-bitola-s- potchituva-dvoazitchnosta/, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 3. The majority3 of Albanians are Muslim, while the majority of Macedonians are Orthodox, thus the interethnic intolerance inThe many majority cases reflects of Albaniansinterreligious are intolerance. Muslim, while the majority of Macedonians are Orthodox, thus the interethnic intolerance in many cases reflects interreligious intolerance. 4. “Во Битола4 “Во се Битола почитува се двојазичноста почитува двојазичноста””, Civil Media. , Civil Media.

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itself is more directed towards what is considered neo-Ottomanism, the language used indicates levels of anti-Islamic attitudes. Such a trend interestingly exists amongst in- dividuals and groups that formally belong to Muslim families and portray any type of Turkish influence as Islamic thus anti-western and primitive. In the wake of elections - be those local, parliamentary, or presidential - there is a regular Islamophobic narrative towards the Besa Movement, an Albanian political party, which is constantly accused of having an Islamic background and being financed by foreign states. Discussion of Islamophobic IncidentsGiven and that NorthDiscursive Macedonia was Events part of the Balkan route of immigrants, the heightened level of Islamophobia was a result of the negative attitude of the locals Physical and Verbal Attacks towards the immigrants themselves (see Figure 2). 5 Since the route decreased in fre- On 14 November, 2018, a case of discriminationquency, based there on arereligious fewer cases belief of direct in Islamophobic Portofino incidents-Osteria or commentsand although continuously there are reported cases of attacks on migrants.6 Bar, a restaurant in Skopje, was reported. The victimThis of report the discriminationis mainly based on thereported reported thecases case within to the the office of the Om- budsman, the Commission for Prevention of Discrimination, media reports, con- Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Macedonia.tacts Thewith NGOs, victim, religious who institutionswears the and hijab individuals, together that have with helped in finding cases with subtle nuances of discrimination based on religious belief. Information two friends tried to enter the restaurant Portofino Osteria but were not allowed to enter with the has been gathered in the local languages7 spoken by the Muslim communities in excuse that reservations are needed. Ten minutesNorth Macedonia.later, one of the friends, in an attempt to understand if the reason that they were denied entranceDiscussion was ofthe Islamophobic fact that the victim Incidents was wearing the hijab, tried to enter the restaurant and withoutand Discursive any Events Physical and Verbal Attacks problem was given a table and served.9 The Commission for Protection from Discrimination after having received a complaint by the HCHR on 28 December, 2018 published an opinion stating that the restaurant by denying service to a hijabi customer had committed a direct act of discrimination based on religious belief.10 The commission 8 FigureFigure 2: The 2: The burnt burnt mosque mosque in Erekovci. in Erekovci8 . asked the restaurant to stop this practice otherwise further punitive measures will be taken.11 5. Ibid. 6. There were 11 incidents due to refugee or migrant status in 2016, 2 in 2017, and 6 in 2018. See: http://www. On 5 October, 2018, a-350-year-old mosque inzlostorstvaodomraza.mk/reports?l=en_US#, the village of Erekovci, (Access date:in 1the September municipality 2019). of 7. In the current report, translations from local languages (Albanian, Macedonian, Turkish, Bosnian) to English are Prilep, was burnt (Figure 3). The Islamic Communityby the author. has reported that indications from the 8. “Запалена џамија во прилепско стара 350 години, ИВЗ се сомнева во подметнат пожар”, Religija, 6 October 2018, https://religija.mk/zapalena-dzamija-vo-prilepsko-stara-350-godini-ivz-se-somneva-vo-podmetnat-12 villagers point to the fact that the fire was intentionalpozar/, (Access and date: the 1 September case 2019). was reported to the police. As of yet, the case has not been resolved. islamophobiaeurope.com • @islamophobiaEIR 629

8 “Запалена џамија во прилепско стара 350 години, ИВЗ се сомнева во подметнат пожар”, Religija, 6 October 2018, https://religija.mk/zapalena-dzamija-vo-prilepsko-stara-350-godini-ivz-se-somneva-vo-podmetnat-pozar/, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 9 “Дискриминација врз основа на религија и верско уверување во скопскиот ресторан Portofino-Osteria and Bar”, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Republic of North Macedonia, 29 October 2019, http://www.mhc.org.mk/announcements/841?locale=mk#, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 10 “КЗД утврди директна дискриминација врз основа на религија и верско уверување”, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Republic of North Macedonia, 16 January 2019, http://www.mhc.org.mk/announcements/888?locale=mk#.XJkoaChKjIV, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 11 “Државата потврди дискриминација кај скопски ресторан кој не и дозволи на муштерика со хиџаб да седне на маса”, Faktor, 17 January 2019, https://faktor.mk/drzavata-potvrdi-diskriminacija-kaj-skopski-restoran-koj-ne-i- dozvoli-na-mushterijka-so-hidzab-da-sedne-na-masa, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 12 “Запалена џамија во прилепско стара 350 години, ИВЗ се сомнева во подметнат пожар”, Religija, 6 October 2018, https://religija.mk/zapalena-dzamija-vo-prilepsko-stara-350-godini-ivz-se-somneva-vo-podmetnat-pozar/, (Access date: 1 September 2019). EUROPEAN ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT 2018

On 14 November, 2018, a case of discrimination based on religious belief in Portofino-Osteria and Bar, a restaurant in Skopje, was reported. The victim of the discrimination reported the case to the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Macedonia. The victim, who wears the hijab, together with two friends tried to enter the restaurant Portofino Osteria but were not allowed to enter with the excuse that reservations are needed. Ten minutes later, one of the friends, in an attempt to un- derstand if the reason that they were denied entrance was the fact that the victim was wearing the hijab, tried to enter the restaurant and without any problem was given a table and served.9 The Commission for Protection from Discrimination after having received a complaint by the HCHR on 28 December, 2018 published an opinion stating that the restaurant by denying service to a hijabi customer had committed a direct act of discrimination based on religious belief.10 The commission asked the restaurant to stop this practice otherwise further punitive measures will be taken.11 On 5 October, 2018, a-350-year-old mosque in the village of Erekovci, in the municipality of Prilep, was burnt (Figure 3). The Islamic Community has reported that indications from the villagers point to the fact that the fire was intentional and the case was reported to the police.12 As of yet, the case has not been resolved. Employment Although not often reported, there are cases especially of hijabi women who are refused a job position on the basis of their visible Islamic appearance. In discus- sions with some Islamic organizations, many Muslim women have applied for job positions in education and the health sector and have been rejected only after the interviews where their Muslimness was considered too visible due to their headscarf. However, such cases are a lot fewer compared to previous years. One specific case was brought to the Office of the Ombudsman by a husband who claims that his wife was not allowed to teach in a primary school in Radovish because of her headscarf, although she had been accepted in the job position previously.13 Due to lack of sup- porting evidence, the office of the Ombudsman didn’t pursue the case or report it as a case of discrimination based on religious affiliation. The report of the Ombudsman

9. “Дискриминација врз основа на религија и верско уверување во скопскиот ресторан Portofino-Osteria and Bar”, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Republic of North Macedonia, 29 October 2019, http://www. mhc.org.mk/announcements/841?locale=mk#, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 10. “КЗД утврди директна дискриминација врз основа на религија и верско уверување”, Helsinki Com- mittee for Human Rights of Republic of North Macedonia, 16 January 2019, http://www.mhc.org.mk/announce- ments/888?locale=mk#.XJkoaChKjIV, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 11. “Државата потврди дискриминација кај скопски ресторан кој не и дозволи на муштерика со хиџаб да седне на маса”, Faktor, 17 January 2019, https://faktor.mk/drzavata-potvrdi-diskriminacija-kaj-skopski-resto- ran-koj-ne-i-dozvoli-na-mushterijka-so-hidzab-da-sedne-na-masa, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 12. “Запалена џамија во прилепско стара 350 години, ИВЗ се сомнева во подметнат пожар”, Religija, 6 October 2018, https://religija.mk/zapalena-dzamija-vo-prilepsko-stara-350-godini-ivz-se-somneva-vo-podmetnat- pozar/, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 13. Personal interview with the personnel in the Ombudsman’s office (January 2019).

630 setav.org ISLAMOPHOBIA IN NORTH MACEDONIA

published in March 2019 doesn’t mention any case of discrimination based on reli- gious belonging.14 Additionally, Muslims are not given legal means to have shorter working hours during Ramadan or to be exempt from working during the Jummah prayer, although unofficially employers allow their employees to attend the prayer. Education Although Islamic education on a high school level is provided at private institutions within the framework of the Islamic Community, the accreditation of these madrasas by the Ministry of Education and Science is still an open issue.15 The applications for university studies by the graduates from the madrasas in North Macedonia are rejected by many state universities leaving Islamic Studies in the country and outside of it as the only option for higher education. Some universities have opened their doors to the madrasa graduates although this seems to be an exception to the rule. On another note, in an attempt to protect secularity in the schools, the state education inspectorate fined the primary school Krste Petkov Misirkov in Radovish with 1,600 euros for allowing an iftar dinner to be organized on its premises, where the adhan (ezan) was called, which normally signifies that the time to break the fast has arrived.16 Additionally, the principle of the school Olgica Stojanova was fined with 1,120 euros as the person in charge of the school who gave permission for the event. The inspectorate indicated that a request for the termination of the contract of the school principle will be sent to the municipality of Radovish on the basis that she acted against the law when she allowed a religious event to be organized on the school prem- ises, while the Minister of Education Arber Ademi agreed with the verdict of the in- spectorate.17 This reaction came as a result of very harsh reactions on social media after a video where the ezan is called was published, claiming that such an event is in direct breach of the secularity principle that the school is supposed to maintain. However, reactions from Muslims on social media pointed out that this event was taken out of proportion and shows clear Islamophobic sentiments given that the school in its official opening in 2008 was blessed by a religious cleric of the Orthodox faith.18

14. “Народен Правобранител, Годишен Извештај За Степенот На Обезбедувањето Почитување”, Унапредување И Заштита На Човековите Слободи И Права 2018, March 2018, http://ombudsman.mk/up- load/Godisni%20izvestai/GI-2017/GI-2018.pdf, (Access date: 1 September 2019) 15. Laura Papraniku, “MASH-i nuk e njeh Medresenë”, Koha, 12 February 2018, https://www.koha.mk/mash-i- nuk-e-njeh-medresene/, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 16. “Казни за директорката и училиштето во Радовиш каде оџа држеше верски обред”, Radio MOF, 4 June 2018, https://www.radiomof.mk/kazni-za-direktorkata-i-uchilishteto-vo-radovish-kade-odzha-drzheshe-ver- ski-obred/, (Access date: 1 September 2019). 17. Goran Simonovski, “Адеми го поддржа инспекторатот во казната за директорката за верскиот обред во училиште во Радовиш”, Sitel TV, 4 June 2018, https://sitel.com.mk/ademi-go-poddrzha-inspektoratot-vo-kazna- ta-za-direktorkata-za-verskiot-obred-vo-uchilishte-vo, (Access date: 2 September 2019). 18. “Штипскиот муфтија за ифтарот во училиштето во Радовиш”, Religija, 5 June 2018, https://religija.mk/ shtipskiot-muftija-za-iftarot-vo-uchilishteto-vo-radovish/, (Access date: 2 September 2019).

islamophobiaeurope.com • @islamophobiaEIR 631 EUROPEAN ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT 2018

Politics The restoration of the Ali Pasha Mosque in Ohrid, has been a contentious issue for a long time in the city and among different state and religious institutions. The recon- struction of the mosque which was supposed to get a 32 m tall minaret (assumed to be the original size of the minaret) as compared to the current one which is 6.5 m tall restored in the last century,19 has sparked huge debates and dissatisfaction in the city and the country as a whole, with the argument that the new minaret will dominate the landscape of the old bazaar in Ohrid. The former minister of culture in order to respond to the criticism from the local non-Muslim groups had promised to halt the construction work; however, a special commission within the ministry concluded that the minister has no such powers.20 The issue of theThe renovation issue of the renovation of the ofmosque the mosque in in Ohrid was was a topic a topic of discussion of discussion with the M inister of with the Minister of CultureCulture Asaf Asaf Ademi Ademi who said who that saidno investment that no by investment the Ministry of by Culture the Minis of the Republic- of try of Culture of theNorth Republic Macedonia of Northwill be a Macedoniabase for religious will intolerance, be a base which for is religious why for the intol restoration- of the erance, which is why for the restoration of the mosque, especially when it comes to mosque, especially when it comes to the height of the new minaret, a common language between the height of the new minaret, a common language between the Directorate for the Protection of Culturalthe DirectorateHeritage forand the theProtection Islamic of CulturalCommunity Heritage andof Norththe Islamic Macedonia Community of North needs to be found.21 MacedoniaMembers needs of theto be Associationfound.21 Members Sovest, of the Associationwho are theSovest, ones who who are the have ones who have been vocal against thebeen renovation, vocal against the claim renovation, that claim with that the with higher the higher minaret minaret the the authenticity authen of- the city of ticity of the city of Ohrid will be lost, while the whole process will trigger religious Ohrid will be lost, while the whole process will trigger religious hatred and interethnic hatred and interethnic intolerance.22 As of now, the issue has still not been resolved. intolerance.22 As of now, the issue has still not been resolved.

Figure 3: The burnt Carshi Mosque in Prilep.23 Figure 3: The burnt Carshi Mosque in Prilep.23 19. Sinisa Jakov Marusic, “Tempers Rise in Macedonian Resort over Tall Minaret”, Balkan Transitional Justice, 28 November 2017, https://balkaninsight.com/2017/11/28/mosque-restauration-plan-upsets-macedonia-s-lake-Another open case regarding a renovation of a mosque - this one being burnt - is the Carshi Mosque town-11-27-2017/, (Access date: 2 September 2019). 20. “Министерство за култура:in Prilep. Нема In August причини 2001 ,да during запре the реконструкцијата armed conflict in North на Али-пашината Macedonia, an armyџамија convoy во traveling Охрид”, Meta.mk, 7 February 2018, http://meta.mk/ministerstvo-za-kultura-nema-prichini-da-zapre-rekonstrukt- sijata-na-ali-pashinata-dhamija-vo-ohrid/,from Skopje to (Access Tetovo date: was 2 attacked,September where 2019). 10 soldiers from Prilep and its surroundings were 21. “Ademi, do te gjejme zgjidhjekilled. Theper xhaminecitizens of e Prilep,Ohrit”, as 5 aJuly counte 2018,r-attack http://shenja.tv/video-ademi-do-te-gjejme- and a gesture of revolt, burnt the Carshi Mosque zgjidhje-per-xhamine-e-ohrit/, (Access date: 2 September 2019). 24 22. Makfaks, “Високи тоновиof Prilep. на дебатата The rebuildingза Али-пашината of the mosque џамија, is охриѓани still a contentious обвинуваат issue дека although се гради the Islamic незаконски”, Youtube, 22 FebruaryCommunity 2018, received https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIlZvEEgWlk, permission to rebuild it in 2006, 2010, and 2012(Access. Currently, date: 2 Sep the- structure, tember 2019). 23. Bunjamin Kurtishi, “Vazhdonwhich ‘standardi is in ruins i dyfishtë’, is used ndaj as a Çarshi shelter xhamisë by alcoholics së Prilepit”, and hasAnadolu been Agency,further vandalized21 March 2018, (Figure 4). https://www.aa.com.tr/sq/ballkan/vazhdon-standardi-i-dyfisht%C3%AB-ndaj-carshi-xhamis%C3%AB-s%C3% AB-prilepit/1095132, (Access date: 2 September 2019).

21 “Ademi, do te gjejme zgjidhje per xhamine e Ohrit”, 5 July 2018, http://shenja.tv/video-ademi-do-te-gjejme- 632 zgjidhje-per-xhamine-e-ohrit/, (Access date: 2 September 2019). setav.org 22 Makfaks, “Високи тонови на дебатата за Али-пашината џамија, охриѓани обвинуваат дека се гради незаконски”, Youtube, 22 February 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIlZvEEgWlk, (Access date: 2 September 2019). 23 Bunjamin Kurtishi, “Vazhdon ‘standardi i dyfishtë’ ndaj Çarshi xhamisë së Prilepit”, Anadolu Agency, 21 March 2018, https://www.aa.com.tr/sq/ballkan/vazhdon-standardi-i-dyfisht%C3%AB-ndaj-carshi-xhamis%C3%AB- s%C3%AB-prilepit/1095132, (Access date: 2 September 2019). 24 Bunjamin Kurtishi, “Vazhdon ‘standardi i dyfishtë’ ndaj Çarshi xhamisë së Prilepit”, Anadolu Agency, 21 March 2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/sq/ballkan/vazhdon-standardi-i-dyfisht%C3%AB-ndaj-carshi-xhamis%C3%AB- s%C3%AB-prilepit/1095132, (Access date: 2 September 2019). ISLAMOPHOBIA IN NORTH MACEDONIA

Another open case regarding a renovation of a mosque - this one being burnt - is the Carshi Mosque in Prilep. In August 2001, during the armed conflict in North Macedonia, an army convoy traveling from Skopje to Tetovo was attacked, where 10 soldiers from Prilep and its surroundings were killed. The citizens of Prilep, as a counter-attack and a gesture of revolt, burnt the Carshi Mosque of Prilep.24 The re- building of the mosque is still a contentious issue although the Islamic Community received permission to rebuild it in 2006, 2010, and 2012. Currently, the structure, which is in ruins, is used as a shelter by alcoholics and has been further vandalized (Figure 4). Continuing with cases in the political arena, an open question to be resolved is the Bektashi community’s official registration/recognition and property issues. A decade-long dispute between the Bektashi order and the state was brought as a case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) with the complaint that the do- mestic courts of North Macedonia have refused to “allow the Bektashi community to retain its status as a religious organization and to accept its new application for registration.”25 Another contentious issue related to the Bektashi community is the ownership of the Bektashi complex in Tetovo known as “Arabati Baba Tekke.” The Bektashi community of Tetovo has brought the case to international courts, since the whole property is currently owned by the state.26 Just to illustrate the complexity of the ownership of the tekke, the property is partly used by the Bektashis, the Islamic Community uses one building as a masjid, while the rest of the buildings (the hotel, the restaurant, the fountain, etc.) are left unmanaged and are in ruins. There are also more direct political clashes between the government and the Is- lamic Community of North Macedonia. In 2018, there were several cases of clashes between the leader of the Islamic Community, Sulejman Redzepi, and the govern- ment. For the leader of the Islamic Community, the government is showing bias towards the Orthodox community by sponsoring the building of churches while the mosques are always built with the private money of the Muslims.27 On that note, in August 2018, the government announced that it would check the legality of the work of the religious communities in the country right after MP Muhamed Zeqiri posed the question of whether the labor inspection will ever con-

24. Bunjamin Kurtishi, “Vazhdon ‘standardi i dyfishtë’ ndaj Çarshi xhamisë së Prilepit”, Anadolu Agency, 21 March 2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/sq/ballkan/vazhdon-standardi-i-dyfisht%C3%AB-ndaj-carshi-xhamis%C3%AB-s%C3 %AB-prilepit/1095132, (Access date: 2 September 2019). 25. Frank Cranmer, “Registration of Religious Organisations Yet Again: Bektashi Community”, Law & Religion UK, 13 April 2018, http://www.lawandreligionuk.com/2018/04/13/registration-of-religious-organisations-yet- again-bektashi-community/, (Access date: 2 September 2019). 26. Z. Andonov, “Арабати Баба Теќе Слави 480 Години Со Спор За Имотот Меѓу Бектешите И Ивз”, Sakam da Kazam, 7 February 2019, https://sdk.mk/index.php/dopisna-mrezha/arabati-baba-teke-slavi-480-godini- spor-za-imotot-megu-bekteshite-ivz/, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 27. “Лидерот на ИВЗ – Државата гради само цркви, а не и џамии”, Religija, 3 January 2019, https://religija. mk/liderot-na-ivz-drzavata-gradi-samo-crkvi-a-ne-i-dzamii/, (Access date: 3 September 2019).

islamophobiaeurope.com • @islamophobiaEIR 633 EUROPEAN ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT 2018

duct an inspection of the Islamic Community so as to detect the irregularities and misuse of funds that, according to the MP, are made by its president.28 To this, the accusing the state of favoring the Orthodox Church while similar privileges that are given to the president of the Islamic Community, Sulejman ef. Rexhepi, responded by accusing 29 Orthodox Church are denied to the Islamicthe state Community. of favoring the Orthodox Church while similar privileges that are given to the Orthodox Church are denied to the Islamic Community.29 Media Media An article titled “THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL NOT ACCEPT US: We Will Change the Name, But Will You, Albanians Brothers, Change Your Religion to Enter the EU?” published on the news portal Infomax.mk, quoting a Facebook post of Cvetin Chilimanov (see Figure 5), a journalist and adviser to the ex-president of North Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov, claims that the problem of the leading EU powers is with the Muslim population in Macedonia, in the same way they have a problem

31 with Turkey and Albania. The article and the Figure 4: Facebook status of Cvetin Chilimanov.30 Figure 4: Facebook status of Cvetin Facebook post both emphasize that since ethnic Chilimanov.30 An article titled “THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL NOT ACCEPT US: We Macedonians had to negotiate their identityWill Change and change the Name, the name But Will of You,the country Albanians in Brothers, order to Change enter Your Religion to the EU, the problem now is the “MuslimEnter problem the EU?”” which published is the on reason the news why portal the Infomax.mkEU - they ,claim quoting - a Facebook post is reluctant to accept North Macedonia ofas Cvetina full EUChilimanov member. (see Figure 5), a journalist and adviser to the ex-president of North Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov, claims that the problem of the leading EU powers is with the Muslim population in Macedonia, in the same way they have a problem with Turkey and Albania.31 The article and the Facebook post both emphasize that since ethnic Macedonians had to negotiate their identity and change the name of the country in order to enter the EU, the problem now is the “Muslim problem” which is the reason why the EU - they claim -is reluctant to accept North Macedonia as a full EU member.

28. “Инспекција по налог на Заев ќе влезе во верските заедници”, Zase.Mk, August 2018, http://zase.mk/ articles/361096/inspekcija-po-nalog-na-zaev-kje-vleze-vo-verskite-zaednici, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 29. Ibid. 30. Cvetin Chilimanov, Facebook, 27 May 2018, https://www.facebook.com/cvetin/posts/10156308796374192, (Access date: 3 September 2019) 31. “Европската Унија Нема Да Не Прими: Ние името ќе го смениме, но дали вие, браќа Албанци ќе ја смените верата за да влеземе во ЕУ?”, Infomax , 27 May 2018, https://infomax.mk/wp/, (Access date: 3 September 2019).

29 Ibid. 30 Cvetin Chilimanov, Facebook, 27 May 2018, https://www.facebook.com/cvetin/posts/10156308796374192, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 634 setav.org 31 “Европската Унија Нема Да Не Прими: Ние името ќе го смениме, но дали вие, браќа Албанци ќе ја смените верата за да влеземе во ЕУ?”, Infomax , 27 May 2018, https://infomax.mk/wp/, (Access date: 3 September 2019). ISLAMOPHOBIA IN NORTH MACEDONIA

Figure 5: “In the Fight between Allah and the Dollar, the Loser is Erdogan – The Sultan with Threats to Trump”, Figure 5: “In the Fight between TelmaAllah and TV, the11 August,Dollar, the 2018. Loser32 is Erdogan – The Sultan with Threats to Trump”, Telma TV, 11 August, 2018.32

AnotherAnother article article posted posted on thethe web web portal portal of TV of Telma, TV Telma, in reference in referenceto the clash betweento the clashErdogan between Erdoganand Trump, and makes Trump, numerous makes Islamophobic numerous comments, Islamophobic starting from comments,the title of the startingarticle itself from the title“In the of F ightthe betweenarticle Allahitself and “In the the Dollar, Fight the Lbetweenoser Is Erdogan Allah – andThe Sultanthe Dollar, with Threats the to Loser Is ErdoganTrump.” At– Thethe very Sultan start of withthe article Threats the author to Trump.”sarcastically At states the , very“After start addressing of the Allah article and the authorthen sarcastically his people with states, an attempt “After to addressingcalm them, Erdogan, Allah andwith athen column his in peoplethe New withYork Timesan , attempt toaddressed calm them, Trump ,Erdogan, who doubled with customs a column for Turkey in theyesterday New andYork further Times knocked, addressed down the Trump, whoTurkish doubled lira.”33 Ocustomsn several occasionsfor Turkey in the yesterday text the author and makes further comments knocked that are down on the the verge Turkish lira.”of Islamophobia33 On several such occasions as “but Allah in htheelps text very thelittle author in the crisis makes […]” comments34 in addition thatto mocking are on the vergeErdogan of Islamophobia by calling him such a “sultan. as “but” The Allah text helpsoverall very shows little how in much the crisisTurcophobia […]” 34and in additionIslamophobia to mocking are linked Erdogan as phenomena. by calling The articlehim sparkeda “sultan.” quite aThe mixed textresponse, overall some shows deeming how muchit veryTurcophobia Islamophobic and while Islamophobia others defended the are author linked. Some as activists phenomena. on their Facebook The articleaccounts sparked quitestrongly a mixedopposed response,the way that someTV Telma deeming offends allit Muslimsvery Islamophobic through its criticism while of theothers policies defended the author. Some activists on their Facebook accounts strongly opposed the way that32 Ивор TV Мицковски, Telma offends “Во борбата all помеѓу Muslims Алах и доларот,through губитникот its criticism е Ердоган of– Султанотthe policies со закани of до Трамп”, Telma TV, 11 August 2018, https://telma.com.mk/vo-borbata-pomegu-alah-i-dolarot-gubitnikot-e-erdogan- Erdogan andsultanot posited-so-zakani that-do-tramp/ their, (Access insults date: 3are September on the 2019). verge of being hate speech (Figure 33 Ibid. 7). Although34 Ibid. TV Telma was asked by several viewers to retract the news or to formal- ly apologize, in their response to the criticism (Figure 8), they not only defend their position, but also continue with the same line of thought with remarks such as “let Erdogan who addresses Allah apologize to you.”

32. Ивор Мицковски, “Во борбата помеѓу Алах и доларот, губитникот е Ердоган – Султанот со закани до Трамп”, Telma TV, 11 August 2018, https://telma.com.mk/vo-borbata-pomegu-alah-i-dolarot-gubitnikot-e-erdo- gan-sultanot-so-zakani-do-tramp/, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 33. Ibid. 34. Ibid.

islamophobiaeurope.com • @islamophobiaEIR 635 ofof Erdogan Erdogan and and posited posited that that their their insults insults are are on onthe the verge verge of beingof being hate hate speech speech (Figure (Figure 7). Although 7). Although EUROPEAN ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT 2018 TVTV Telma Telma was was asked asked by by several several viewers viewers to toretract retract the thenews news or toor formallyto formally apologize, apologize, in their in their responseresponse to to the the criticism criticism (Figure (Figure 8), 8), they they not not only only defend defend their their position, position, but butalso also continue continue with with the the samesame line line of of thought thought with with remarks remarks such such as as“let “ letErdogan Erdogan who who addresses addresses Allah Allah apologize apologize to you. to you.” ”

Figure 6: A comment on Facebook Figure 7-8: Response of TV Telma to a message by a viewer in regarding the article “In the Fight between response to the article “In the Fight between Allah and the Dollar” FigureAllahFigure and6: 6:A the Acomment commentDollar.” (12 on on AugustFacebook Facebook 2018) Figure Figure(11 7- August8: 7 -Response8: Response 2018) of TV of TVTelma Telma to a tomessage a message by a byviewer a viewer in response in response to to regardingregarding the the article article “In “In the the Fight Fight the the article article “In “Inthe theFight Fight between between Allah Allah and andthe Dollar”the Dollar” (11 August (11 August 2018) 2018) betweenbetween Allah Allah and and the the Dollar.” Dollar.” (12 (12 AugustAugust 2018)The 2018) conversion of Sllavica Jakimovska, a member of the academic staff at the

European University in North Macedonia who converted to Islam during a ceremo- 35 TheTheny conversion conversionorganized of ofin Sllavica SllavicaEdrem, Jakimovska, Jakimovska,Turkey, attracted a member a member a of lot theof of the academic attention academic staff by staff at the the at media.Europeanthe European ThisUniversity University con- inin versionNorth North Macedonia wasMacedonia extensively who who converted promotedconverted to toIslamin Islamthe during media, during a sometimes ceremonya ceremony organized positively organized in and Edrem,in sometimesEdrem, Turkey, Turkey, negatively. The whole issue sparked35 quite a negative reaction in the professor’s social attractedattracted a alot lot of of attention attention by by the the media. media. This35 This conversion conversion was was extensively extensively promoted promoted in the in media,the media, circle and in the general public, who saw her conversion as an Islamic propaganda. somesometimestimes positively positively and and some sometimestimes negatively. negatively. The T wholehe whole issue issue sparked sparked quite quite a negative a negative reaction reaction inin Justicethe the professor’s professor’s System social social circle circle and and in inthe the general general public, public, who who saw saw her herconversion conversion as an as Islamic an Islamic propaganda.propaganda.For a longer period of time, the Muslims of North Macedonia have had a difficult relationship with the justice system. A culmination of this negative relationship came Justice System Justicewith the System Monstrum case, in which 6 persons were given life sentence for having For a longer period of time, the Muslims of North Macedonia have had a difficult relationship with Forcommitted, a longer period as it ofwas time, labeled, the Muslims a terrorist of North act whereMacedonia 6 people have hadwere a difficultkilled in relationship Smilkovo with the justice system. A culmination of this negative relationship came with the Monstrum case, in theLake. justice36 The system government. A culmination in a ofpolice this negativeaction imprisoned relationship camedozens with of theMuslims, Monstrum women case, in which 6 persons were given life sentence for having committed, as it was labeled, a terrorist act whichincluded, 6 persons on the were grounds given lifeof Islamic sentence extremism, for having andcommitted, later proceeded as it was labeled,with sentencing a terrorist act six of them. Although no real link could be made with religion as a basis for the act, 35 “Универзитетска професорка од Македонија премина во ислам”, Time.Mk News Engine, 27 February 2018, 35the Ministry of Interior from the onset of the case denounced it as a terrorist act https://time.mk/c/261fdbae06/univerzitetska “Универзитетска професорка од Македонија-profesorka премина-od-makedonija во ислам”,-premina Time.Mk-vo-islam.html News Engine,, (Access 27 Februarydate: 32018, Septemberhttps://time.mk/c/261fdbae06/univerzitetskainspired 2019). by Islamic extremism; this-profesorka conviction-od-makedonija was viewed-premina as- voIslamophobic-islam.html, (Access by Mus date:- 3 September 2019). lims. With the new government and the famous “bombs”,37 around the end of 2017, the Supreme Court annulled the verdict due to procedural mistakes and the case was

35. “Универзитетска професорка од Македонија премина во ислам”, Time.Mk News Engine, 27 February 2018, https://time.mk/c/261fdbae06/univerzitetska-profesorka-od-makedonija-premina-vo-islam.html, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 36. Naser Pajaziti, “Skopje, Six Albanians Given Life Prison Sentences”, Independent Balkan News Agency, 30 June 2014, https://balkaneu.com/skopje-albanians-life-prison-sentences/, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 37. The “bombs” refer to the information that was leaked from the illegal wiretapping scandal in which state officials discuss their actions. For more info, read: Andrew MacDowall, “Fears for Macedonia’s Fragile Democracy Amid ‘Coup’ and Wiretap Claims”, The Guardian, 27 February 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/27/ fears-macedonias-fragile-democracy-amid-coup-wiretap-claims, (Access date: 3 September 2019).

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returned for retrial.38 Later on, the case was taken over by the Special Prosecutors office which deals with material evidence that originates from illegal wiretapping.39 The case is still being heard in court as of 31 December, 2018.

Figure 9: Twitter argument over the Radovish incident (top), response to the article “THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL NOT ACCEPT US: We Will ChangeFigure the 9: Twitter Name, argument But over theWill Radovish You, incident Albanians (top), response Brothers, to the article “ THEChange EUROPEAN Your UNION Religion WILL to Enter the EU?” NOT ACCEPT US: We Will Change the Name, But Will You, Albanians Brothers, Change Your Religion to Enter the EU?” (28 May and 1 June 2018)(28 May and 1 June 2018) There was an ongoing court proceeding on the obligation of the state to pay reparations for the There was an destructionongoing of the threecourt mosques proceeding in Arachinovo (Skopje) on during the the armedobligation conflict of 2001. Inof the state to pay reparations for the destructionMarch 2018, the Supreme of Court the of thethree Republic mosquesof North Macedonia in declined Arachinovo the request for the (Skopje) during the armed conflict revisionof 2001. of the previous In decisionMarch of the lower2018, courts, theand decided Supreme to fine the state Courtwith 152,000 of the Republic of 40 North Macedonia declinedeuros as reparation the cost requests to be paid to forthe Islamic the Community revision as the suingof party.the previousThis decision decision of the of the Supreme Court was well-received especially by the Muslim community. lower courts, and decided to fine the state with 152,000 euros as reparation costs to be paid to the Islamic Community as the suing party.40 This decision of the Supreme Court was well-received especially by the Muslim community.

Internet 40 “За оштетeна џамија во Арачиново од воениот конфликт, државата треба да плати 152 илјади евра отштета”, Zhurnal, 13 March 2019, Several of the cases thathttp://www.zurnal.mk/content/?id=183131511359&utm_source=daily.mk&utm_medium=daily.mk were mentioned in the previous sections, (Access havedate: 3 sparked heated September 2019). discussions on the Internet. On Twitter, influencers used their platforms to point out the level of Islamophobia stirred by some of the events. One of those cases was the

38. “The Supreme Court Abolished the Verdicts and Returned the “Monster” Case for a Retrial”, META, 24 No- vember 2017, https://meta.mk/en/the-supreme-court-abolished-the-verdicts-and-returned-the-monster-case-for-a- retrial/, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 39. “Rasti ‘Monstra’ përfundimisht merret nga PSP-ja (Video)”, Portalb.mk, 21 March 2018, https://portalb. mk/512781-rasti-monstra-perfundimisht-merret-nga-psp-ja/, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 40. “За оштетeна џамија во Арачиново од воениот конфликт, државата треба да плати 152 илјади евра отштета”, Zhurnal, 13 March 2019, http://www.zurnal.mk/content/?id=183131511359&utm_source=daily. mk&utm_medium=daily.mk, (Access date: 3 September 2019).

islamophobiaeurope.com • @islamophobiaEIR 637 EUROPEAN ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT 2018

iftar dinner that was organized in Radovish. While the initial tweet condemned the iftar dinner held at the school, the respondents defended the school decision to allow a religious event to take place outside of school hours. References to the western part of North Macedonia are made in a derogative way since that region has a high con- centration of Muslims. In a similar vein, Twitter users were vocal against the article published by Infomax which asks if Albanians would change their religion (Islam) as a precondition to entering the EU. On a positive note, in an effort to fight hate speech and hate crime, including the Islamophobic incidents discussed in this report, several videos were produced as part of the series of videos in the campaign against hate speech and hate crimes “Hate hurts, don’t tolerate it! Report it!”organized by the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights.41 One of the videos features Sumeja Ademi, a young Muslim girl, who in February 2017 was attacked in Skopje due to her hijab. Two boys and a girl not only offended her with Islamophobic comments but also with ultra-nationalist ones, assuming that she was Albanian. Sumeja was later attacked by the girl who tried to take off her veil, all the while all three of them shouted insults at her asking her to leave the country. In the video, Sumeja notes that the case was reported to the police, however, no action was taken due to lack of evidence. Observed Civil Society and Political Assessment and Initiatives While there aren’t any specific organizations that deal with the issue of Islamophobia itself, the most vocal advocate against discrimination, including here discrimination based on religious belief (Islam), has been the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of North Macedonia.42 With its online reporting platform, Zlostorst- va od Omraza,43 it has established itself as the medium through which individuals are able not only to report the cases of discrimination, be it as a victim or a witness, but also to be aided through the whole process. Another NGO that has been active especially in indirectly fighting against Islamophobia is LEGIS, which has been the strongest advocate of migrant rights during the Balkan route crisis. One of its found- ing members, Mersiha Smajlovikj,44 has also been a very vocal advocate against cases of Islamophobia, especially those related to hijab-wearing Muslim women.

41. Macedonian Helsinki Committee, Youtube, 21 December 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boKz- JwDi-28&fbclid=IwAR2y_Pa9ghSHvivWJE1e28-I1fghJgv0PiquTbG48BiNtf5QOTu0XN77cLo&t=12s&ap- p=desktop, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 42. The official website of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of North Macedonia is http:// mhc.org.mk/?locale=mk, (Access date: 3 September 2019). 43. Refer to http://www.zlostorstvaodomraza.mk/ for unofficial (and in some cases, unverified) cases of discrimina- tion based on religion from 2013 and onwards. 44. Mersiha Smajlovikj is a human rights activist and lawyer, and the author of “Islamophobia in Macedonia: Na- tional Report 2017” in the EIR.

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In February 2018, the NATIONAL STRATEGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA FOR COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM (2018-2022) prepared by the National Committee for Countering Violent Extremism and Countering Terrorism (NCCVECT) was adopted.45 The whole procedure of draft- ing this strategy was aided by the U.S. Embassy in Skopje and the OSCE Mission to Skopje. A multi-stakeholder approach was taken in drafting the procedure by bringing together representatives of NGOs, educational institutions, activists, re- ligious organizations, and state agencies. The general tone of the discussion on countering violent extremism reflected a bias on violent extremism and terrorism acts committed by Muslims;46 however, the document itself makes an effort to reduce such biases. A project that has had a very positive impact on tackling the issue of radicaliza- tion was the “Mother Schools for Countering Radicalism”47 organized by Analytica Think Tank up to 2017. “Mother Schools: Parenting for Peace”48 is a similar model that will be running until January 2020 and is organized by the ZIP Institute. Another event that was received well in the community was the common iftar dinner organized in the city of Strumica by the Citizen Association “Dost Eli” to- gether with the Bayrampaşa Municipality of Istanbul Turkey.49 Given that the iftar was attended by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, it brought a sense of understand- ing and interreligious tolerance in the city of Strumica. The event was attended by municipality officials as well. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations While the number of incidents has decreased, there are still cases of Islamophobia lingering in North Macedonia. The negative sentiments coming either directly as expressions of hatred towards Muslims or indirectly through interethnic intolerance, have been reflected in cases of the burning down of mosques, protesting against the renovation of mosques, and discrimination based on Islamic religious affiliation in employment, education, and other services. In order to make an effort to reduce the level of Islamophobia and with it reduce the number of incidents stemming from it, the following policies are recommended:

45. “National Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia For Countering Violent Extremism (2018-2022), https:// vlada.mk/sites/default/files/dokumenti/cve_national_strategy_eng_translation_sbu.pdf, (Access date: 3 Sep- tember 2019). 46. The author of this report has participated in several focus groups leading to the writing of the strategy. 47. Mother School Project: http://www.analyticamk.org/en/programs/foreign-and-security-policy/631-moth- ers-schools-project, (Access date: 4 September 2019). 48. See the website of Zip Institute for more details: http://zipinstitute.mk/projects/, (Access date: 4 September 2019). 49. “Рамазанска Ифтарска Вечера Во Струмица”, MakPress, 20 May 2018, https://makpress.mk/Home/Post- Details?PostId=222400, (Access date: 4 September 2019).

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- The Islamic Community should play a more active role in fighting Islam- ophobia, given that human rights NGOs are the frontrunners of this fight. - The Islamic Community in close cooperation with the state institutions should implement programs of raising awareness on issues related to Islam- ophobia, how to detect it, and how to respond to it. - Imams should be trained to detect Islamophobia and hate speech and work closely with the members of their mosques to reports cases of discrimina- tion based on religious affiliation and of hate speech/crime. - More Muslim NGOs should focus on working with the local community in fighting Islamophobia, coming from non-Muslims and Muslims alike. - Positive discrimination practices should be implemented in the employ- ment and education sectors as to allow more hijab-wearing Muslim women to be present both in schools and in state institutions. - Incidents related to Islamophobia should be legally recognized as a separate category so as to be able to have clearer statistics on hate speech and hate crimes related to this phenomenon. Chronology • 26.01.2018: A hijab-wearing teacher was not allowed to teach after being employed by the primary school in Radovish. • 04.06.2018: The primary school Krste Petkov Misirkov in Radovish was fined for allowing an iftar dinner to be organized on the school premises. • 14.09.2018: A hijab-wearing customer was refused service at Portofino-Os- teria and Bar, a restaurant in Skopje, due to her Islamic garment. • 05.10. 2018: A 350-year-old mosque in the village of Erekovci, municipal- ity of Prilep, was burnt.

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