Shefqet Krasniqi
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Shefqet Krasniqi | |
|---|---|
| Title | Hoxhë |
| Personal | |
| Born | June 20, 1966 in Sibofc, Obilić |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Region | Europe |
| Jurisprudence | Hanafi |
| Main interest(s) | Hadith, Fiqh, Tajweed |
Shefqet Krasniqi (b. June 20, 1966) is a Kosovar cleric and scholar of Islam. He formerly held posts of lecturer at the Faculty of Islamic Studies (Pristina) and Imam of the Imperial Mosque (Pristina). He is an expert in Islamic law, a veteran of the Kosovo War, author, translator and publisher.[1]
Krasniqi has also been the focus of much controversy for his provocative comments concerning other faith communities. He was was acquitted on hate incitement charges in 2018 and his name was also mentioned in the U.S. State Department’s report concerning religious freedom in the world.[2]
Biography
Krasniqi was born in the village of Sibofc, Obiliq municipality, Kosovo. He attended high school at the local madrassa "Alauddin" in Pristina. In 1986 he enrolled and later graduated from Medina University in Saudi Arabia, where he attained his doctorate. Shefqeti returned to Kosovo and was appointed professor at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, and later Imam at the Great Mosque in Pristina. He held the position of professor for five consecutive years while also serving as Imam.[3]
Legal Controversies
Shefqet Krasniqi was taken in for questioning by Kosovo Police in September 2014, in an operation aimed at tackling recruitment of fighters for Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq.[4] Despite being dismissed from the Grand Mosque in 2015, Krasniqi was later released and continued to preach on television, radio, and social media.[5]
On February 27, 2017, Kosovo’s Special Prosecutor (SPRK) filed an indictment against Krasniqi, on charges of inciting terrorism and propagating national, racial, and religious intolerance. The indictment alleged Krasniqi intentionally distributed public messages classifying some religious groups as enemies of Sunni Muslims, inciting and spreading hatred, disunity and intolerance of other religious groups. The indictment also claimed Krasniqi used harsh language during his lectures, promoted through social networks, pushing others to go to conflict zones in Syria and Iraq and commit terrorist acts.[6]
On March 23, 2018, a Pristina Basic Court panel acquitted Shefqet Krasniqi of the 2017 indictment. The presiding judge cited contradictory statements and lack of evidence as reasons for the acquittal. On October 1, 2018, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision, acquitting Krasniqi on all charges.[7]
References
- ^ Egnatia, Via (2014). "Kosovo's 'Islam Light' Turns Full-Fat". worldbulletin.dunyabulteni.net.
- ^ Pajaziti, M. (March 23, 2018). "Kosovo: Imam of the Great Mosque of Pristina Exonerated". balkaneu.com.
- ^ Egnatia, Via (2014). "Kosovo's 'Islam Light' Turns Full-Fat". worldbulletin.dunyabulteni.net.
- ^ "Kosovo 'imams held' in raids on Islamic State recruitment". bbc.com. 2014.
- ^ "International Religious Freedom Report - Kosovo". state.gov. US State Department. 2018.
- ^ "Pristina's Imam pleaded not guilty for inciting his followers to conflict zone". balkaninsight.com. 2018.
- ^ "International Religious Freedom Report - Kosovo". state.gov. US Department of State. 2017.
Category:Kosovan Islamists Category:Living people Category:1966 births
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