Kosovo: Creation of a Muslim state in the heart of Europe

The independence of Kosovo in the very heart of European continent has been met with jubilation across the world primarily by those who believe that justice has finally been served for those Muslims in the Balkans who have had to suffer immensely under the brutal regime of Slobodan Milosevic. On the contrary the vast majority of Europeans as well as those who reside elsewhere view the creation of a Muslim state in the very heart of Europe with deep suspicion. They see Kosovo not as a sovereign state but simply an outpost of British and American military apparatus similar to the installation of the US missile shield systems in Czech Republic and Poland. Furthermore, ethnic Albanians, who also largely inhabit present day Kosovo, have been rightfully blamed for a large chunk of organised crime across Europe, which adds to the reservations of Europeans who have even labelled the state of Kosovo as the world’s first Mafia state.
It is generally accepted in the West that the revival of Cold-war era tension between a resurgent Russia and the old players such as UK, USA and other western European nations has played a key role in the independence of Kosovo and the preceding dismantling of Yugoslavia was as attempt at diplomatically and militarily undermining the support base that Russia has enjoyed within the Eastern European region.

In reminiscence of the Battle of Kosovo on a fateful day in June 1389, when the Ottoman forces under Sultan Murad I marched into Serbia as victors, the creation of a Muslim majority state is being seen as both a symbolic and a tangible victory handed out to Muslims across the world as a moral bribe by USA and UK aimed at appeasing them. Naturally this has alarmed many quarters in Europe who believe that both these countries are wooing moderate and westernised Muslims such as those in the Balkans into forming an alliance against Russia similar to the one which resulted in the defeat of the Soviet might in Afghanistan. The only apparent difference this time round is that the Muslims that are being supported do not hold such radical and rigid beliefs as those who partnered with the West in the 1980s and therefore are likely to become instrumental in halting the spread of radical Islam and extremism which threatens the community cohesion and security within many western nations.

It is now up to the Kosovars how they respond to the challenge thrown at them by becoming the latest people to gain independence under extremely complex circumstances. Being a newly formed Muslim state, they are also expected by everyone to uphold the Islamic virtues of tolerance and kindness towards the non-Muslim citizens and to promote a moderate, liberal and progressive face of Islam as a working model for the future of this beautiful religion.