North Macedonia’s Muslim leader sacked over choice of bride
Posted May 27, 2020 12:41 pm.
Last Updated May 27, 2020 12:54 pm.
SKOPJE, Macedonia — North Macedonia’s Islamic community voted Wednesday to dismiss its leader over his decision to marry a woman 50 years his junior.
Sulejman Rexhepi, 73, recently posted his marriage plans on social media, shocking many Muslims in the country due to the couple’s difference in age.
The majority of the Islamic Religious Community’s governing body backed the move to remove Rexhepi from his post. Rexhepi was first elected as Islamic leader in 2006 and repeatedly reelected after that.
Rexhepi has had the support of most muftis in North Macedonia and survived several attempts to remove him following accusations of alleged corruption.
About one-third of North Macedonia’s 2.1 million population is Muslim.
The Associated Press
