How Russia tries to influence the Balkans through the European Muslim Forum: Kosovo reports with him

When Tensions Between Pristina and Belgrade had grown in August 2022 due to the issue of Serbian illegal vehicle plates used in northern Kosovo, the European Muslim Forum had expressed its concern that Muslims could suffer from any possible incident.

This, however, has not been the first time this organisation has shown interest in the Balkan region.

Her work has been mentioned recently in a report that has compiled the UK-based Royal United Services (RUSI), considered the oldest institution in the field of defence and security.

The report, titled “Threatened by Russia's Nonconventional War Beyond Ukraine, 2022%24” is mentioned Russia's Various Tactics to create divisions in Europe.

It includes Russia's strategy to expand its influence on the Muslim world through organizations and charitable foundations.

One of them is the Ahmat Cadyrov Foundation, which tries to popularise as the former Chechen leader, simultaneously the father of the current leader of Chechnya, Ramzan CadyrovHe is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The European Muslim Forum does similar jobs.

According to the British report, the “organisation is particularly active in the Balkans, where it has established connections with authoritarian Muslim representatives (not only religious, but political figures) in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, northern Macedonia, Croatia, Greece and Romania”.

Free Europe Radio has addressed this entity for a comment on the findings of the RUSSIA report, but it was not accessible.

On its website, there is no data on the way the organization is funded.

What reports does Kosovo have with the European Muslim Forum?

In July 2021, a delegation from the European Muslim Forum, led by its chairman, stayed on a visit Kosovo Islamic Community (BIK) and the Faculty of Islamic Studies. The delegation was hosted by BIK chairman, mufti Naim Ternava, and his associates.

A world official. BIK Free Europe had been told Radio that the delegation had only received it as a sign of respect and that they had not been aware of who the organisation is close to.

The delegation has also held a host of visits to other Balkan countries.

On the site of Russia's Mufti Council, the visit was warned of opportunities to advance to another level of co-operation between Muslims of the Balkans and those of Russia.

What is known about the Forum, and who leads it?

The European Muslim Forum is an organization founded in October 2018 and has several offices in Europe.

The forum's leader is Abdul-Wahed Niyazov. In the past, he is believed to have been the leader of the “Mysmian movement in support of President Putin”, and over a period has been representative of Putin's party in Dum, the Russian Parliament's lower house.

According to the Forum Web site, he engages in offering assistance to integrate Muslim immigrants into European societies, to build mosques and cultural centres, or to develop Halal industry in Europe.

But, Lithuania State Security Department's Office has said in the annual 2023 report that the Forum spread propaganda against the West.

According to Lithuanian authorities, the main positions in Forum belong to leaders of Russian Muslim organisations, which are related to Russia's presidential administration.

In the past, Niyazov was seen at meetings with Turkey's president, Recep Tayip Erdogan, and with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

According to Lithuanian authorities, Niyazov has been barred from entering the Schengen area in Europe since October 2022.

What are the links of the Muslim European Forum with the Balkans?

Part of the Council of the European Muslim Forum, from the Balkan region, are Serbia's muftis, Mevud Dudiq and Abdullah Numan, then Behjuddin Shehapi from Northern Macedonia and Rifat Feizic from Montenegro.

A mufti of Serbia has also participated in the establishment of the Forum in 2018, Barcelona.

Images of mosques throughout the Balkans and their activities are often published on the forum's website on the social Facebook network.

On occasion, it also expresses support for any political figure, such as Bakir Izetbegovic, former president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or Muammer Zukorlic, already late deputy speaker of Serbia's Parliament.

On social networks, in posts mainly in Russian, the Forum declares support for contour figures, such as André Tate.

The former American-British invalid has been praised by the Organisation for Conversion to Islam, in hopes it will promote Islamic values.

Currently, Tate is facing court processes in Romania, as he is accused of rape and trafficking, charges he has rejected. /Full text: REL/