In a significant assembly within the Hadzi Hurem, or Bor Mosque, in Novi Pazar, Senad ef. Halitović, President of the Mešihat of Sandzak and Mufti in the Islamic Community of Serbia (IZS), has been elected as the Reis-ul-Ulema, the paramount leader of Muslims in Serbia.
The electoral session, both solemn and notable, saw 102 members of the extended Supreme Assembly confer a five-year mandate upon ef. Halitović. Simultaneously, Mufti of Niš, Eldin ef. Ašćerić, was chosen as the deputy Reis-ul-Ulema.
In a reflection upon his election, Reis-ul-Ulema Senad ef. Halitović articulated: “We shall persevere in upholding the values we have always embraced. A plethora of challenges await us. Our foremost endeavour will be the unification of all Muslims in Serbia, aiming to finally overcome the numerous adversities we are confronted with.”
Born in 1979 in Novi Pazar, the newly-appointed Reis-ul-Ulema pursued his education in Yemen, following which he returned to Serbia. Since 2006, he has served the Islamic Community as an Imam and professor of Islamic subjects. Halitović first assumed the roles of the Mufti of Sandzak and President of the Sandzak Mešihat in 2019.
Devoted to humanitarian efforts and fluent in Arabic, Halitović, a father of four, is married and actively engaged in continuing the harmonisation and upliftment of the Muslim community in Serbia.
Photo: Islamska zajednica u Srbiji