The Islamic Community of Serbia has appointed Alija ef. Dermaku, an imam from Bujanovac, as the first mufti for the Roma community in Serbia and the diaspora.

Dermaku’s role will encompass overseeing Roma Muslims both in Serbia and abroad, reflecting his long-standing involvement with the community and understanding of their culture.

This appointment is significant as it marks a shift in representation for Roma Muslims within the Islamic Community of Serbia, highlighting the community’s presence in various regions, including northern Kosovo. This latter statement is far from anodine and is politically loaded. Northern Kosovo Roma – mostly Gurbeti – while predominantly moslem, are more related to their other Gurbeti brethren in further South than any others in Serbia proper.

• Ali ef. Dermaku iz Bujanovca imenovan za muftiju romskog naroda u Srbiji i dijaspori. In: Kossev. 06.09.2026. https://kossev.info/ali-ef-dermaku-muftija-romskog-naroda/