His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia has extended his warmest wishes for the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan to the Islamic Community of Serbia. The Crown Prince aims to bring unity between the various ethnic and religious groups of Serbia; His Royal Highness is himself Orthodox Christian.
His Royal Highness’ full statement:
“Today, when the whole world is fighting the pandemic of the Corona virus, it takes more than ever before to show solidarity and stay together. Please accept my warm wishes for the beginning of the Great Ramadan Holiday, wishing you to spend this month filled with additional patience, tranquillity and compassion. May your prayers be heard, community and family strengthened, and may Ramadan bring you peace, happiness and blessings.”
As well as an ethnic Serb Muslin community, there are also other groups living in Serbia that practise the Muslim faith. According to 2011 census, there were 228,658 Muslims in Serbia, around 3.1% of the total population. The municipality of Novi Pazar is home to Serbia’s largest Muslim population, with 82,710 Muslims who is (82% of the town’ss population).
Serbia is still predominantly Eastern Orthodox Christian.
The territory of what is now the Republic of Serbia was part of the Ottoman Empire throughout the Early Modern period, especially Central Serbia, unlike Vojvodina which passed to Habsburg rule starting from the end of the 17th century. Ottoman culture significantly influenced the region, in architecture, cuisine, language, and dress, especially in arts, and Islam.
Alexander, Crown Prince of Serbia, is the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and currently claimant to the abolished throne of the precursor Kingdom of Serbia. He is the head of the House of Karađorđević. Alexander is the only child of former King Peter II and his wife, Alexandra of Greece and Denmark.
