The Bosniak National Council, which the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights does not recognize, requested from EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton that international observers be sent to Sandzak, southwestern Serbia.

According to a statement issued by the council's press office, Ashton was informed in a letter about the frequent cases of discrimination and violation of rights on religious and ethnic grounds in the region.

The letter stresses that the recent events in Novi Pazar show that tension is boiling in Sandzak, and that excessively large number of policemen are not helping calm the situation.

The Islamic Community in Serbia, headed by the Chief Mufti Muamer Zukorlic, staged a rally in Novi Pazar because the city administration usurped land where a kindergarten was planned to be built and which was waqf property.

Several persons were arrested for violating public order and security, and for attacking policemen during the Saturday rally. The Bosniak National Council was formed by the Bosniak Cultural Community and two Bosniak Rennaisance members.

Member of the Serbian parliament Security Committee Meho Omerovic stated Tuesday that the proposition of Chief Mufti Muamer Zukorlic for international observers to be sent to Sandzak, southwestern Serbia, may not be so bad after all, given that this would enable them to have a direct insight into what Zukorlic is doing.

"The observers would have a chance to see how it is possible for one person to do a number of things at the same time. They would find out that he is not only a religious leader, but also a serious businessman who owns a university and a TV station, a man who is setting up his own political party and has more cars than the entire public transport service," Omerovic told Tanjug.

They would also see how "Zukorlic's media operate inciting hatred, conflicts and disobedience to the state institutions."

"The observers would also be able to listen to imams, who instead of addressing religious issues and promoting Islam as a religion of tolerance, go around spreading hatred among people," and thus learn on the spot what the inhabitants of this region have known for so long, Omerovic said.

However, Omerovic believes that Zukorlic's request for the international observers will be dismissed.

"This is still another intriguing topic that Zukorlic is trying to impose on the public so as to draw attention to himself," said Omerovic, who is also an official of the Social Democratic Party of Serbia.