Kosovo Expels Bosnian Islamic Preacher Elvedin Peziq

Elvedin Peziq, an Islamic preacher from Bosnia and Herzegovina, was expelled from Kosovo on August 14. A source familiar with the organization of his activities and his stay in the country confirmed the news to Radio Free Europe.

The expulsion took place one day after Peziq was escorted by police, shortly before a book launch in Vitomirica, Peja. Following that event, he had also planned to deliver lectures in the municipality of Istog, as well as in Prizren.

According to the same source, Peziq was removed from Kosovo through a border crossing with Montenegro.

Radio Free Europe contacted the Kosovo Police several times to learn the reasons for the expulsion but received no response.

Kosovo’s legislation allows a foreign national to be expelled if they are considered a threat to public order, national security, or public health.

Who is Elvedin Peziq?

Peziq is an Islamic preacher from Bosnia and Herzegovina who has had an online presence for years. He is known for his conservative views and as one of the preachers associated with Salafism.

He has more than 300,000 followers on Facebook and is also active on other platforms, where he shares lectures, religious advice, and commentary on social issues.

His statements have drawn criticism in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past. The Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina had responded to Peziq’s stance on the position of women in Western society, saying that such views conflict with Islamic teachings on the rights and obligations of Muslim women.

The institution had also previously objected to one of his posts, in which Peziq stated that “Western society has been morally ruined” because women had been “taken out of the home” and had become “everything except mothers.” The Islamic Community of Bosnia assessed that these statements were inconsistent with Islamic teachings on the rights and responsibilities of Muslim women.

Peziq’s views have also frequently faced criticism from the public in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Islamic Community of Kosovo says it was unaware of the visit

The Council of the Islamic Community of Kosovo in Peja told RFE earlier on Friday that the Islamic Community of Kosovo had not been informed of Peziq’s arrival or of the activities he was to conduct in Kosovo.

According to the institution, the preacher had not sought permission or consent for the activity. The Islamic Community of Kosovo had also not provided material or logistical assistance for his visit.

The Islamic Community of Kosovo said it had communicated with the Kosovo Police on the matter. The council in Peja said the police had contacted it in writing and that the institution had responded, without disclosing the contents of the communication.

The council emphasized that any religious activity, whether in religious buildings or other venues, requires the permission or consent of the religious institution.

The announcement of Peziq’s planned activity had been posted on social media by the congregation of a mosque in Dobrusha.

The Municipality of Peja also told RFE that it had no role in organizing the activity for which Peziq had traveled to Kosovo. Promotional materials said the event was being held as part of the “Diaspora Days.”

Valmir Deqani, spokesperson for the Municipality of Peja, said the municipal institution had not been aware of the event and had not been involved as an organizer. According to him, it had been organized by the Bosniak community in Vitomirica itself.

Shortly before the activity in Vitomirica was due to begin on Thursday, Peziq was escorted to a police station for an informational interview.

This was confirmed to RFE by Rexho Kojiq, a representative of the Kosovo-based nongovernmental organization “Young Volunteers,” which had organized the activity.

Kojiq said Peziq had been taken to a police station in Pristina. He added that the preacher had legally entered Kosovo through the border crossing at Kulla, using documents issued by Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to Kojiq, the police said Peziq would be held for six hours to verify his identity and that there was no need to engage a lawyer.

He said Peziq had also been asked whether he had obtained permission from the Islamic Community of Kosovo to conduct the activity.

Kojiq argued that Peziq does not serve as an imam at any mosque and therefore did not need such permission, since the activity involved promoting a book.

Islamic preacher Mithad Qeman was also expected to attend the event. According to Kojiq, he too had been escorted by police but was released immediately.

Peziq and Qeman had planned to first promote the book in Vitomirica and then organize an activity in Dobrusha, Istog. Another activity was planned for Friday in Reçan, Prizren.

Kojiq told RFE that, in his assessment, Peziq did not pose a threat to Kosovo’s security. He added that the organization would not have supported such a gathering if there had been any indication of such a risk.