Jusuf Zimeri

Jusuf Zimeri (born April 20, 1962) is an Albanian Islamic jurist, alim, and professor from North Macedonia. He has served as an imam, and referent for religious affairs at the Islamic Community of North Macedonia.^[1][2][3]

Jusuf Zimeri
Prof. Jusuf Zimeri during 2020
Title	Imam Efendi Hoxhë
Personal life
Born	(1962-04-20) April 20, 1962 (age 63) Lojane, Lipkovo Municipality
Home town	Kumanovo
Citizenship	North Macedonian
Main interest(s)	Fiqh, Aqidah, Islamic Education, Islamic literature, Islamic studies
Alma mater	Al-Azhar University
Occupation	Alim, Professor
Religious life
Religion	Islam
Denomination	Sunni
Jurisprudence	Hanafi
Creed	Maturidi
Muslim leader
Post	Director of the Religious-Educational Sector in IRC of North Macedonia
Period in office	2015-2023
Influenced by Abu Hanifa Abu Mansur al-Maturidi Hfz. Irfan ef. Abazi Taxhedin ef. Bislimi
Influenced Halim Sulimani

Life

Zimeri completed his primary education in his hometown before attending the "Alaudin" Madrasa in Pristina, where he graduated in 1982. After completing his mandatory military service in 1983, he traveled to Syria to continue his education. In 1984–85, he completed his studies at the Arabic Language Institute. In 1987–88, he moved to Cairo and enrolled at Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Sharia and Law. He successfully completed his studies and graduated in 1991.^[4]

Upon returning to North Macedonia in 1991, Zimeri began working as a lecturer in his home village. Shortly after, he was appointed as a referent for religious affairs at the Islamic Community of North Macedonia in Skopje. Two years later, he transitioned to a teaching role at the Isa Beu Madrasa in Skopje, where he served as a professor of Islamic jurisprudence and later as the madrasa's secretary. In 2015, he was appointed director of the Religious-Educational Sector at the Islamic Community of North Macedonia, until 2023. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the development of Islamic education in the region and has played an active role in shaping religious discourse.^[5]

Zimeri has published numerous articles on Islamic law and religious studies in newspapers and magazines across North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. He has also been an active participant in Islamic conferences, symposiums, and academic discussions. His engagements have taken him to cities such as Skopje, Tirana, Pristina, Sarajevo, and Podgorica, where he has presented research and organized scholarly events.^[6][7]

Works

Jusuf Zimeri has published extensively in the field of Islamic jurisprudence, with a focus on family law, Islamic rituals, and jurisprudential methodology. His works provide insight into Islamic legal principles and their application. Some of his notable works include:^[8][9]

• Islamic Jurisprudence – Rulings on Prayer, Almsgiving, Fasting, and Pilgrimage (2013), A detailed work on the legal aspects of key Islamic rituals including prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage.

• The Five Pillars of the Islamic Faith (BIM-Skopje, 1998, co-author; reprinted in 2003),

• Family Law in Islam (2006, co-author),

• Mawlid – A Good Sunnah or an Innovation? (2012), A work examining the practice of celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, discussing whether it is a Sunnah or a Bid'ah (innovation).

• Islamic Questions and Answers (2014), A compilation of answers to common questions regarding Islamic practices, providing clear responses on a variety of religious issues.

• The Islamic Electoral System (BIM, Skopje, 2000), Discusses the Islamic approach to electoral systems and governance, providing a perspective on Islamic political thought.

• The Hanafi Madhhab: Its Foundation, Scholars, Literature, and Terminology (2017),