[Alb-Islam] English: "ISSUE: BRIEF SURVEY OF THE RELIGIOUS SITUATION AND GAMES WITHIN THE ALBANIAN ETHNICUM", by Dr. Ismail BARDHI

[Mentor Cana]

Dr. Ismail BARDHI

ISSUE:	BRIEF SURVEY OF THE RELIGIOUS SITUATION AND 
GAMES WITHIN THE ALBANIAN ETHNICUM


ALBANIANS AND ISLAM: TO BE OR NOT TO BE?!?

Whatever has happen in the Balkans throughout the history has drawn the 
attention of others only after great scandals, traumas and genocide. As 
far as the early and present history of the Balkans is concerned, lately 
many writings are published by various strategists, psychologists, and 
sociologists and especially by the “church politics” and religious 
politics in general.

Albanians have a long history of their presence in the Balkans, starting 
from early times to the present days. During the time of the Ottoman 
Empire they embraced Islam in large number, and so contributed to 
the Islamic culture. But, the Ottoman Empire came to its end, and 
Muslims started declining due to great injustice done to them both on 
geographic as well as on political aspect.

One of the greatest injustices was done to the Albanians at the end of 19th 
century, especially during the Berlin Conference, when they were 
considered as Turks based on their religious belonging. This 
Conference was a sort of preparation for purging Albanians from their 
territories, something that was done with other Muslim people as well. 
Latter, after the London Conference the territory of the Albanian State 
was divided in several parts and given to Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, 
Montenegro and one separate part, Kosova, inhabited only by 
Albanians, was left inside the Kingdom of first Yugoslavia. Then 
Versay’s (1919) and Paris Conference were held in which this division 
of Albanian territories became more evident. At the end, in present 
days we have the Dayton Conference that left aside the Albanian 
issue. I’m saying this regarding the fact that we are witnessing 
creation of a state by a nation that has no history and own language, 
yet, on the other side, this is denied to others - in this case to the 
Albanian Muslims.

That part of Albanian territory and people that was given to Greece 
presently creates a lot of headache to the Albanian State. Through this 
territory Greece is imposing itself in Albania through force; it arms 
Albanians, supports criminal and terrorism, and makes the 
Christianisation of the population. The same was done in Montenegro 
where the Albanians are assimilated to large extent.

As for other parts of Albanian territories, each of them needs a separate 
study, because there is much to say for each of them. Yet, it is 
important to note that those parts of the Albanian territory in 
Macedonia, Kosova as a whole and the part in Serbia have preserved 
their Islamic religious culture. But, this division of territories for many 
reasons has made Albanians a political, cultural and religious 
phenomenon. Each time when Albanians have tried to put themselves 
together through foreign support, tragedy has fallen upon them. 
Unfortunately, it seems that they have adopted to a large extent this 
way of acting. Anyway, the past has passed and we have no right to 
complain, but the matter is that we feel its influence in present days on 
the political, economic, religious and cultural aspects.

Facts show that the territory of the Albanian State that is surrounded by 
Italy (through the Adriatic Sea), Greece, Macedonia, Kosova and 
Montenegro has 28.748 km2. Kosova has 10.887 km2, and if we take 
into account the territories in Greece, Macedonia and Montenegro 
inhabited by Albanians, than we get a wide Albanian territory of some 
55.000 km2.

Major part of the Albanian population live in the Republic of Albania, 
some 3.5 million, then in Kosova 2 million, in Macedonia 700.000 etc. 
If we add to this number the remaining of the Albanians living in 
Montenegro, Southern Serbia and Çamëria in Greece, the total number 
exceeds 6.5 million.

Another important phenomenon, beside the national assimilation of a part 
of Albanians, is that of emigration with main destination being 
Turkey, where some million Albanians beside living in major cities 
have their villages where Albanian language is spoken; then Western 
Europe, and lately Greece and Italy. Naturally we should not forget 
America and Australia as continents where Albanians have emigrated 
in large number. It must be noted that these migrations have started 
during this century, and are still continuing.

>From religious aspects it is a fact that most of the Albanians are Muslims. 
75% of the Albanians in Albania are Muslims, in Kosova more than 
95%, in Macedonia over 99% of the Albanians are Muslims; in 
Montenegro also the number of Albanian Muslims is very high.


Present religious situation in Albania

The past of Albania is reflected in present days with great surprises in all 
aspects: religious, cultural, economic and political. Beside political 
games, in this country we have many maneuvers of horrifying powers, 
be they ideological or “religious”. It is true that atheisation of 
Albanians was a specific phenomenon, because of its officialdoms 
during communism, which became a continuos process that left its 
traces to the present days. It is very easy to notice it today. It was then 
that any religious activity was banned officially, religious buildings 
and sanctuaries were destroyed, large number of theologists were 
imprisoned and sentenced to death. Above all this, Albania isolated 
itself from the outside world, especially from the Islamic countries 
that resulted with total absence of communication. So, today we have 
an Albania economically poor, culturally tired and religiously 
wondering. 

The religious phenomenon in Albania is secularized, deprived of its 
holiness, because the phenomenon itself was scandalized. And it is 
clear that religion without its source, and under its name, doesn’t 
accept anything else but what God says. While in Albania, one 
expects from religion to improve his economic welfare, if not so, then 
the religion is not good. This is a paradox that is difficult to be 
understood by many.

The phenomenon of religion “returned” for the moment because the 
current politics presented democracy, and due to this religion was 
accepted because of the democratic process. But having in mind the 
institutional religious activity in a situation when Albania is 
economically kneeling, extremely tired, we should not leave aside the 
foreign factor. In Albania, as we have mentioned before, also live 
Christians, both Catholic and Orthodox, who started their religious 
activity with appearance of democracy. It should be mentioned here 
that foreign Islamic theological factor made efforts to help Albanian 
Muslims only through promises, not in a systematic manner. Along 
with this, different groupings of Islamic provenience coming from 
outside to Albania poured their subjective thoughts very fast in this 
country. Here, beside benefits and their good intentions many other 
shortcomings and problems occurred within the native Albanian 
Islamic society, like the problem of medhahib, halal/haram, issues 
pertaining to aqidah, polygamy etc. It is more than true that they 
misused their presence, that was obvious through many conflicts, 
because maybe the problems were of subjective nature, but they were 
reflected on the surrounding. Almost none of the projects of those 
associations were fully implemented. Help coming from these 
associations and organizations came with its religious and cultural 
limitations, that were specific to each small “team”; imagine three-
four persons coming from Algeria, Sudan, Egypt who want to work in 
unknown surrounding, not being familiar with the native language, 
tradition and culture. Albania in the past has practiced the Hanafi 
medhheb and the traditional Islamic culture of the Ottoman Empire. 
This was clearly reflected both in the architecture of the religious 
buildings as well as in the daily Muslim life. The above mentioned 
associations started creating something totally different, not adequate 
to the environment, they built some small mosques that were never 
seen in these parts and didn’t belong to native tradition. They created 
the madhhab problem as well. What was even worse, those 
organizations and associations didn’t pay enough attention to the 
cultural and institutional religious space. With these people, that on 
the state aspect belong to Islam, they were dealing as if they were, for 
instance, in Greece, among Christians. Regardless of the fact that they 
were detached from Islam for a long period of time, religious strategy 
should have been followed and presented in a state manner. As for 
their professional preparation as missioners, they appeared as uncouth 
persons. Most of them were mainly interested in wasting the time 
instead of changing it. The number of these associations was very 
small. It is interesting that their appearance, work methods and 
manners of discussion were showing revolt towards the state 
leadership. Unfortunately, this is the way of attitude of most of the 
world theologist’s writings, who spend their all life in accusing the 
leadership, without their personal participation in changing the way of 
life, of the situation, of the politics! Most evident period of activity of 
these associations was during the time of Sali Berisha as Albanian 
president. At this time their number was around 15.

Islamic religious activity in Albania since 1990, due to lack of native 
theologists, was mainly holding on the above-mentioned 
organizations, as were described earlier. Naturally, I’m not denying 
the fact that the fault falls upon us, Albanians, but at that time there 
was not any institutional Islamic religious theology.

Regarding the relation Albania-Islamic World on government level, this 
may be seen only through membership of Albania as country observer 
in the Organization of the Islamic Conference and establishment of the 
Arab-Albanian Islamic Bank in Tirana. Other projects, like building of 
a (Islamic) hospital have started for some time and presently are left 
without supervision. Arab-Islamic cultural world didn’t play its 
necessary role, though it is true that Albania did not open itself for a 
closer cooperation, due to the great American and European influence 
on this country. The above mentioned may be best noticed in non-
participation of Albanians in various conferences and alike. Presently 
Albania with its Albanian Muslim Community led by Sabri Koçi is 
focusing its religious/cultural activity entirely on foreign help. He is 
engaged with sending students in the Arab world without any 
selection and by creating some madrasah that work without minimum 
of conditions necessary for their activity: without water, without 
cleanness, without necessary cloth for students, without books. Today 
Islam and Muslims in Albania live without any shelter.

Beside the Islamic Community in Albania we have other two major 
religious entities: Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Their influence 
and role is spread all over the country, on the political stage as well as 
in the media. But, they act terribly with planning that guarantees them 
a bright future. Catholic Church for many years was strongly backed 
up by the West, especially Italy-Vatican. In this direction we may 
mention the visit of Pope to Albania and establishment of a great 
church center in the heart of Tirana. Officially, only 10% of Albanians 
belong to this Church, less then the Orthodox, but they have built 
modern churches in European style, religious schools and 
kindergartens, children villages, hospitals etc. Lately they are prepared 
to open Catholic Religious Faculties. This was even announced by the 
present Albanian president, Rexhep Mejdani, after his visit to Italy-
Vatican. Catholic Church has presently become a shadow of the 
Albanian overall politics. Their activity is mainly religious; alongside 
the above-mentioned centers they have co-operation with Albanian 
intelligentsia and have their own religious publishing houses.

As for the Orthodox Church, with the open support coming from Greece 
and Serbia today it is in a situation of running Albania on government 
level. Almost the entire state apparatus, starting from the 
Primeminister, Fatos Nano, Greek by origin, Foreign Minister, Paskal 
Milo, as well as many other ministers, politicians and 
(non)government officials is under the clear influence of Pan-
Hellenism. It is more than obvious that they have many institutions in 
their hands, from pure religious to others that shouldn’t have anything 
religious, like church hospitals. It should be noted here that the leader 
of the Albanian Orthodox Church is Anastas Yanulatos, Greek by 
birth and citizenship. This Church, beside the religious conversion, 
makes the national assimilation of Albanians as well. They have great 
influence upon Albanian immigrants in Greece, whose number is 
more than 300.000.

The activity of the Church in general is greatly supported by the Christian 
countries. Italy, Greece, Serbia as the well as the whole Christian 
world stands behind it. The Church does everything to annihilate the 
Albanians from religious as well as national point of view, with the 
intention to make Albanians fight among theirselfs in the future. This 
was best witnessed during the last events in Albania. The border 
between Albania and Greece is the major line of arms smuggling in 
the region, where great amount of weapons were sold very cheap, 
beside those destroyed by the Albanians. Also the espionage network 
is astonishing. In fact, Greece knows everything that is happening 
today in Albania even before it happens, because it has put its “son” as 
Prime minister of Albania. Only 4 months have passed since the new 
socialist government came to power in Albania, and they already gave 
Kosovo on auction, with the consent of Greece, at the meeting of 
Balkan countries in Crete. Here again the influence of Church was 
very obvious. 

Damages and genocide done by the Church are more dangerous than the 
present economic conditions in Albania.

Greek Orthodox Church, beside the fact that Albanian Archbishop is her 
man, makes every effort to put her priests on high positions in every 
city of Albania. Even the Macedonian Orthodox Church is acting 
similarly within Albania, especially in those parts that are near the 
Albanian-Macedonian border. In that direction, there are 7 Albanian 
Orthodox students studying at the Faculty of this Church in Skopje. 
Both these Churches are strengthening their influence on the religious 
as well as political scene. According to the facts of the previous 
Albanian government, Greek Orthodox Church has co-operated, and 
continues to co-operate with Albanian criminals. They way of acting 
is by indoctrinating Albanian workers in Greece through media 
propaganda, especially the local radio programs that openly call to 
Christianity, to wage war against the “Turks” (Muslims) and to 
cleanse the country from them. Although it is difficult to poses 
arguments for the above-mentioned actions, the situation itself is best 
evidence for this. 

Albania under Sali Berisha didn’t develop any policy that took care for 
religion, but again it was open to all, i.e. to Muslims as well. Lifting 
the power to socialist’s hands not that has only narrowed Islamic 
religious activities, but they are openly collaborating with those 
powers that work towards conversion of Albanian Muslims. They 
consider Islam as unnecessary for Albania. As soon as they reached 
the power, immediately they announced Albania’s withdrawal from 
the Organization of Islamic Conference.

If we compare the activity of the Islamic Community with that of the 
Churches, both Catholic and Orthodox, we may say without any 
hesitation that not that we don’t have any strategy for work, but even 
what we implement is out of time, crippled, both in institutional and 
cultural sense. At this moment Muslims are very weak, unprepared 
professionally, so without the foreign mediation, intervention, 
financial and institutional supervision and support dawn will never 
come on the horizon.

So, today in Albania, beside political church support and its leadership 
there are many Christian centers and organizations lead by various 
missionaries, whose names is very difficult to trace, because they are 
doing everything to hide the exact number of such centers and kind of 
activity they are doing. Following are the names of only some of 
them:

SJAA (St. John Ambulance Association); SSJE (Society of St. John 
Evangelist); SPSM (Society for the Sacred Mission); SCM (Student 
Christian Movement); UCCD (United Christian Council for Democracy); 
VAT (Voluntary Aid Detachment); YMFS (Young Men’s Friendly Society); 
PSCE (People’s Society for Christian Endeavor); C.O.S. (Charity 
Organization Society); FANY (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry); BSC - 
Bethany Christian Services (“Shërbimet Kristiane Bethany”, Head: Agim 
Xhumani, address: Blloku 50 vjetori str., Pall. 12, Ap. 19 – Tirana); CF - 
Cross Foundation (“Fondacioni i Kryqit”, Head: Joseph Liffon, address: 
Ludovik Shllaku str., 14 – Tirana); FPEC - Foundation Program for 
Evangelization of Children (“Fondacioni Program për Ungjillizimin e 
Fëmijëve”, Head: Madonna Maria Theresa Brody, address: Ludovik 
Shllaku str., 14 – Tirana); Power of Light (“Fuqia e Dritës”, head: R. 
Ridley, Rrëshen); International Professional Development (“Zhvillimi 
Ndërkombëtar Profesional”, Head: Bailey Michael Holman, address: 
Ludovik Shllaku Str., 14 – Tirana); Humanitarian Foundation for 
Protection of Women and Children (“Fondacioni humanitar i mbrojtjes së 
gruas dhe fëmijës”, Head: Layla Pernosha, address: Mihal Grameno Str., 
66 – Tirana); Adams’ Humanitarian Foundation (“Fondacioni Humanitar 
Adams”, Head: Kastriot Aliko, address: M. Lleshi Str., Pall. 1, Ap. 10 – 
Tirana); “Word of Life” Foundation (“Fondacioni ‘Fjala e Jetës’”, Head: 
Bengt Arne Wedelmahn – Tirana); God Loves Albania (“Zoti e do 
Shqipërinë”, Head: Jessica Bloom-Shane – Tirana); Way of Peace (“Rruga 
e Paqes”, address: H. Tahsini Str., 251 – Tirana); Albania for Social 
Prosperity (“Shqipëria për përparim social”, Head: Xhavit Hyka, address: 
B. Curri Str., Pall. 8, Shk. 1, Ap. 3 – Tirana); Austria for Albania 
Foundation (“Fondacioni Austria për Shqipërinë”, Head: Barbara 
Schofnagel, represented by Kujtim Brahimaj, address: Asim Vokshi Str., 
42 – Tirana; Church of Christ Tirana (“Kisha e Krishtit Tiranë”, Head: 
Artan Xhaferri, address: 4 Dëshmorët Str., Pall. 193/12 – Tirana); Siloah 
Fellowship International (Head: Paulus Fischer, address: Frosina Plaku 
Str., 36 – Tirana); Albanian Encouragement Project (“Projekti për 
inkurajimin e Shqipërisë”, Head: David Larry Fyock – Tirana); Norsk 
Nordhjelp (Head: Kastriot Faci, F. Ramadani Str., 2 – Shkodra); Albkom 
(Head: François Menebrey – Tirana); International Christian Foundation 
(“Fondacioni Kristian Ndërkombëtar”, Head: Dino Pogo, address: H. 
Tahsini Str., 1 – Torana); Federation of Albanian Women for Peace 
(“Federata e Grave Shqiptare për Paqe”, Head: Tomoko Taira, address: 
Shyqyri Islami Str., 52, Ap. 2 – Tirana); Nostra Signora del Buon 
Consiglio (Head: Amelio Mozzeta – Tirana); Erident (Head: Schio Valin 
Lucio, address: Rr. Durresit Str., Pall. 180, Shk. 3, Ap. 14 – Tirana); 
Orthodox Clinic of Evangelization (“Klinika Ortodokse e Ungjillizimit”, 
Head: Anastasios Yannulatos, address: Rr. Kavayes Str. 151 – Tirana); 
Bethany Fellowship Albania (Head: Erik Thomas Stensland, address: 
Ludovik Shllaku Str., 14 – Tirana); Christian Center Victory (“Qendra 
Kristiane ‘Fitorja’”, Head: Luan Xhemali, address: Faik Trenova Str., Pall. 
2, 4/15 – Tirana); Mission Emanuel for Albania Foundation (“Fondacioni 
Misioni Emanuel për Shqipërinë”, address: Thimi Mitko Str. – Korca); 
Contribute for Education Mission (“Misioni Kontribut për Edukimin”, 
address: Muhamet Gjollesha Str., Pall. Moshat, Shk. 3/16 – Tirana); 
Orthodox Union “Friends of St. Cosmo” (Lidhja Ortodokse ‘Miqtë e Sh. 
Kozmait’”); Christian Aid Service (“Shërbesa e Ndihmesës Kristiane”, 
address: Frosina Plaku Str., 36 – Tirana); Jehova’s Witnesses 
(“Dëshmitarët e Jehovait”, address: Asim Vokshi Str., P.O. Box 3 – 
Tirana); Christian and Evangelist Union (“Enti i Bashkimit Kristian dhe 
Evangjelist”, address: Marsel Kashen Str., Pall. 6, Shk. 2, Ap. 10 – 
Tirana); Adventistic Church (“Kisha Adventiste”, address: Blloku 
Demokracia, Pall. 2 c – Korça); Christian Evangelistic Church (“Kisha 
Kristiane Evangjeliste”, Head: L.T. Kolaj, address: Hysaj Str., 37 – 
Shkodra); Charity Mission “Mother Theresa” (Misioni Bamirës ‘Nëna 
Tereza’”, address: Pandeli Carra Str. – Shkodra); Selessian Association 
(“Shoqata Seleziane” address: Vasil Shanto Str. – Shkodra); World Baptist 
Foundation (“Fondacioni Botëror Baptist”, address: Avni Rrustemi 
square, 2 – Tirana); Yürgen Walman Foundation (“Fondacioni ‘Jürgen 
Walman’”, address: F. Roda Str., Pall. 34/1, Shk. 1, Ap. 26 – Tirana); 
Contro Informazione Terzo Mondo (Address: Konstandin Kristoforidhi 
Str., 5 – Tirana); Humanitarian Foundation for Albanian Christian 
Culture (“Fondacioni Humanitar për Kulturën Kristiane Shqiptare”, 
address: Qemal Stafa Str., 438, Shk. 2, Ap. 28 – Tirana); Colping Family 
(“Familja Kolping”, address: Myslym Shyri Str., Pall. 6, Shk 2, Ap. 13 – 
Tirana); European Baptist Federation (“Federata Baptiste Evropiane”, 
address: Budi Str., Pall. 62, Shk. 2, Ap. 29 – Tirana); Youth for a Mission 
(“Të Rinjtë për një mision”, Head: Sandra Oestreich, address: H. Tahsini, 
Pall. 273, Ap. 3 – Tirana); “Don Bosco” Social Center (“Qendra Sociale 
‘Don Bosco’”, address: Laprak – Tirana); Charity Missionaries – Sister M. 
Ancilla (“Misionaret e Bamirësisë – Motra M. Ancilla”, address: Ali Pashë 
Gucia Str., 35 – Tirana); “Jesus’ Pupils” Society (“Bashkësia ‘Nxënësit e 
Jezusit’”, Head: Stephen P. Lied, address: Ludovik Shllaku Str., 14 – 
Tirana); Adventistic Church of the Seventh Day (“Kisha Adventiste e Ditës 
së Shtatë”, address: Kongresi i Lushnjes Str., Pall. 37, Shk. 3, Ap. 31 – 
Tirana); Mother Theresa Mission (“Misioni Nëna Tereza”, address: Budi 
Str. 9 – Tirana); Nehemiyah (“Nehemia”, address: Frosina Plaka Str., 36 – 
Tirana); Free Finish Mission (“Misioni i Lirë Finlandez”, Head: Tauno 
Taukola, address: Sul Bega Str., 21 – Tirana); Liahona (Head: David 
Haymond, address: M. Grameno Str., Pall. 78/8, Shk. 3, Ap. 22 – Tirana); 
International Protestant Assembly (“Asambleja Protestante 
Ndërkombëtare”, address: Myslym Shyri Str. – Tirana); Adra Albania – 
Agency for Adventistic and Spiritual Development – Albania (“Agjencia 
për Zhvillimin Adventist dhe Shpirtëror në Shqipëri”, Head: Ron 
Edwards, address: Kavayes Str., P.O. Box 2937 – Tirana); Oklahoma – 
World Institute of English for Albania (“Oklahoma – Instituti Botëror i 
Anglishtes për Shqipërinë”, Head: Richerd N. Ady, address: Frosina Plaku 
Str., 15 – Tirana); Hope for Albania (“Shpresë për Shqipërinë”, Head: 
Alastair Barr, address: Elbasanit Str. – Tirana); Gjerasim Qiriazi 
Foundation (“Fondacioni Gjerasim Qiriazi”, Head: Arthur Moore, 
Kavayes Str., 108 – Tirana); Estafier (Head: Shefki Bejko, address: Dibres 
Str., Pall. 15, Shk. 1, Ap. 7 – Tirana).

These were only some of numerous Christian organizations working in 
Albania. Their names may differ, but their main objective is one and 
the same – to cut off the Islamic tradition of the Albanian Muslim 
population.

We can not say that Islamic Communities of Kosova and Macedonia 
didn’t make efforts to play their role in helping Albanian Muslims, but 
their slowness and experience of self-isolation from within, left big 
gap in the religious, national and political life.

One small force within the Albanian Muslims Diaspora called Albanian 
Muslim Youth, a branch of the Young Muslims of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, had always as its objective the unification of Albanian 
territories and filling up the religious cultural emptiness through book 
and writings. This group has presented various projects since the 
beginning of democracy in Albania, starting from the establishment of 
cultural centers in major cities of Albania, up to the foundation of a 
religious institution like the Islamic Theological Faculty in the 
country. But, unfortunately, nothing of this was realized. 


Present religious situation in Kosova

It is an undeniable fact that Kosova didn’t enjoy the right to which it was 
entitled in comparison with the others. Presently Kosova is 
surrounded, occupied by the Slav cross and its own leadership that for 
the moment is playing a destructive role against itself. The current 
politics in Kosova is not at all interested about the phenomenon and 
the role of religion within the country. Its politicians are ready, for the 
sake of international factors, to play games with this phenomenon. On 
the other hand, the religious force is not able to deal and respond 
intellectually and culturally to those political forces.

Serbs and Montenegrins are people that have played very destructive role 
in the history of Albanians. Not only their politicians, but even their 
Church also is characterized by genocide, imprisonment, tortures, 
theft, violence, political and cultural destruction. The number of 
Albanians that have suffered this is very large. Today the Human 
Right Committee of the Republic of Kosova has material evidences 
for the above-mentioned. Even recently we witnessed how Serb 
barbarian hordes showed their real face in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
The same destructive people are holding under military and police 
occupation the Republic of Kosova, not recognized yet by Serbia. 
Only 9% of the Serbs that live in this territory are ruling backed up by 
Yugoslav supervision. Albanian people in Kosova lately are suffering 
from legal-police processes same as during the former-Yugoslavia, 
many of them as members of the Kosova’s Liberation Army.

Leading Albanian politicians in Kosova, due to vain and dry politics are 
making to many mistakes, concessions, some times even by making 
great sacrifices, be they historical or strategic. Among those sacrifices 
the most important is the religious issue. Historically and in reality 
major part of Albanians are Muslims, while on the other hand the 
European, and especially the Balkan politics are presenting Islam as a 
destructive and alien phenomenon for this country, and official policy 
in Kosova and wider are somewhat swallowing this way of thinking. 
Because of this, the issue of religion is left aside and even choking.

As for the theological factor inside Kosova, it should be mentioned that 
the Albanian population over there has not tasted the intellectual taste 
of religion. This is due to the fact that there were no primary, 
secondary and high religious educational institutions, not to mention 
the lack of Islamic religious literature. On the other hand, a great army 
of intellectuals was prepared and educated during the time of atheism, 
and as a result, this intellectual/atheist army rushed upon the religion 
with an intention to present it as an official “opium” for the people. 

It is more than obvious that the Orthodox lobby, with great help of the 
Church, is following every step taken for the Albanian issue, and is 
doing its outmost to close all doors for it. It seems that the Church has 
taken a vow to exterminate the Albanian issue and to make it 
forgotten. In this direction Church is getting a large help from other 
institutions, like from various academies of the Balkan countries, 
especially the Greek and Serb. Naturally, Serbia is directly involved in 
this issue and has composed secret, as well as official plans that are 
being implemented step by step. It is a fact that this important issue 
was kept silent. There are only empty promises coming from 
renowned world personalities and Church representatives who are 
being presented as saviors of the Albanian cause. But the only thing 
they tell to Albanians by phone is that they should not hurry in taking 
things in their hands because they will not be forgotten. This has 
choked every effort and movement made by the Albanians.

The role of the Orthodox Church compared with the Catholic in Kosova is 
weaker, but this doesn’t mean that it has no activities. This is mainly 
due to the extremely small number of Albanian Orthodox in Kosova. 
On the other side, like in Albania, the Catholic Church has realized its 
activity by misusing Albanian Muslims. This Church has created a 
Catholic lobby consisted of some well prepared and educated people 
supported by the Catholic Church from Croatia and Bosnia. Firstly 
they educate these people and give them high academic degrees, and 
later they send them to Kosova to do their utmost in exterminating the 
Islamic element within the population. This Catholic Church has 
presented an irrational problem: as if within the heart of the Albanian 
ethnicity exists the phenomenon of “crypt-Catholics”, meaning that 
Albanians have Catholicism in their hearts while in their history and 
tradition they belong to Islam. This Church, based on non-Albanian 
and non-Islamic documents writes about the history as it suits to 
Vatican and the West. Recently they are promoting the thesis that 
Christianity is more modernized and only through it Albanians can 
enter to Europe. These theses are promoted by a certain circle of 
intellectuals with academic titles like Dr. Engjëll Sedaj, Dr. Zef 
Mirdita, Dom Lush Gjergji, Gaspër Gjini, Sarë Gjergji etc.

Naturally, in this Kosovar/Albanian space the Islamic Community has its 
due place with a solid number of theologists, but not sufficient for the 
time being. It is more than evident that the Islamic Community is 
desiccated in its role and not interested to take over the role of 
supervisor upon the people, the educational, religious role that every 
modernized nation has. It’s being silent, with plenty of shortcomings; 
it has become a center without strategy, sometimes it shows 
destruction in work; takes the role of policeman and tries to make all 
kinds of investigations to obstruct the cultural and religious activities 
of some of its theologists. The Islamic Community in Kosova 
presently has three secondary religious schools and one Islamic 
Theological Faculty. Its irresponsibility is evident by the fact that 
people that lecture in this Faculty officially are not fulfilling the 
necessary conditions for such kind of work. Most of the theologists of 
this Islamic Community are educated in various countries of the Arab 
World. There is no strong working harmony of co-operation among 
them. Islamic Community in Kosova really needs help, be it 
intellectual or strategic, naturally without neglecting the economic 
supervision. The role of the Islamic Community is very important not 
only from the religious aspect, but also in the sense of watching over 
the people.

Kosova is really a challenge of time; lately it has even given martyrs, 
shuhada of dîn. The miners of Kosova broke the world record while 
staying in their mines under ground for many days, thus showing their 
resistance against the Serb pan-Slavism that has no parallel. 
Imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of Albanians still continues; 
their immigration has become a serious problem for Europe. In fact, 
this is the reason why Europe sometimes is turning towards it. Kosova 
today economically is totally isolated while its resources are being 
stolen day by day. The process of education is being held out of the 
institutions and in very difficult conditions. The cultural treasure of 
the archives is destroyed and many historical findings and monuments 
are lost from the museums. The fact is that the Albanian State didn’t 
present itself as a factor that could take care for this issue, due to its 
own political and economic weakness. But, some other countries, like 
for instance Turkey that had some favorable opportunities for work, 
were not interested to be involved. The same goes for other countries 
of the Muslim World.

The issue of Kosova has cost Sali Berisha’s system very expensive. It can 
not be said that that period of democracy did much, but it is true that it 
left great space for activity, in which politicians from Kosova 
articulated their issues with the support by Berisha, and had Albania 
as a shelter. But, this issue bothered the Greek lobby in the USA, the 
state of Greece as well as Serbia, so they started their interventions in 
the US Senate to make as much damage as possible to Albania. Thus, 
through major media representatives, like The New York Times, 
Newsweek and NBC and through Greek newspapers and radio-
television, they did everything to turn the South of Albania against 
Berisha’s regime. Latter this was declared by some of the journalists 
after their arrival in Albania, when they admitted that they have 
informed wrongly, because today in Albania Albanian language and 
Greek mind are officially ruling.

The political and strategic position of Kosova is of great importance, 
because whoever intends to take any step in dealing with this issue can 
experience the same fate as Sali Berisha.

Recently there are some destructive moments that may be noticed within 
the Albanian ethnicity, especially pertaining to religious ethics. This is 
reflected in large number of cases of prostitution, drug addiction, 
thefts, killings and all other modern evils. This nation has always been 
sensitive concerning women’s chastity and moral. There are numerous 
writings dealing with the purity and bravery of women like novels, 
poems and alike. Unfortunately, today many prostitutes from these 
parts may be noticed in Italy, Greece and all around Europe, and, what 
is more strange, to many articles are written for them inside the 
Albanian corpus, but nothing has been done to eliminate this 
phenomenon. 


Present religious situation in Macedonia

Muslims of these parts, after the withdrawal of the Ottoman Empire, were 
confronted with great disastrous problems with the arrival on power of 
the Orthodox Panslavism and Panhellenism of the Serbs, Bulgarians 
and Greeks. As it is clear from the past and present history, they 
always were and/or still are outrageous enemies of Muslims with an 
unseen arrogance against everything that is Islamic. Their rule was the 
beginning of a destruction and rule of non-freedom of speech and 
religion, prohibition of education in mother tongue for Muslims of 
these parts, mass deportation and extermination with imprisonment of 
Muslims.

This form of rule made the communist system speed up its process of 
ruling so even legally to forbid the religion by announcing it as 
“opium for people”.

(Former Yugoslav) Republic of Macedonia has problems with its own 
name, history, and nation but, nevertheless, it is playing an interesting 
role in establishing itself as an independent state and a special role in 
the Balkans region. Macedonians, who are Orthodox Christians, were 
not forgotten by other Christians of the world in helping them during 
this process of establishing their state.

It should not be forgotten that this Republic, as a unit of the former-
Yugoslavia, was known especially for its ministry of internal affairs 
and its discriminatory administration towards Albanians, Turks, and 
Bosnians – towards everything Islamic.

The democratic process was undesirable phenomenon for Macedonia, and 
because of this it is possible to think and to say that “democracy” and 
“non-democracy” in this region are identical and are presented in their 
worst forms. The registration of many political parties (more than 50), 
while having only 10 of them active gives a good picture for the 
above-mentioned point. All of these parties are under the influence of 
nationalism and are defending it by all means. Also, Albanians were 
forced to participate in this “democratic” game so they formed their 
own parties. Only three (of seven existing) Albanian parties are 
present at the Parliament with 19 deputies. All of these Albanian 
deputies are Muslims. But, unfortunately, these 19 confronted with 
those 101 Macedonian deputies can not play any role in the decision-
making as well as in the law-making process.

The total number of population of Macedonia, according to the 1991 
Census given in official figures is 2.033.964, 1.328.817 are 
Macedonians, 441.987 Albanians, 77.080 Turks, 52.103 Rhomas etc.

But it should be mentioned that due to disbelief to the statistics, and 
dissatisfaction with the official figures by the inhabitants of this 
Republic (24 nationalities), most of them didn’t accept these figures, 
especially Muslims, and this issue was internationalized. It is 
interesting that long before the announcement of the official figures, 
the leadership of this Republic knew and openly declared the number 
that matched with figures given some months latter. Indeed, many 
dirty things were done with the statistics, because Albanians and their 
parties claimed that their number is 700.000, while the statistics 
institute announced only the half of it. Turkish party was certain that 
some 200.000 Turks live in Macedonia, but, officially, they are only 
75.000. It is possible to believe in the glorification of the number by 
us, but the other party (Macedonians) had no right to play on behalf of 
the population.

As for the participation in the government, it is unbelievable but true that 
within the organs of internal affairs Albanians participate only by 1%; 
within the military ranks only 1.5%, which is only an advertising and 
defrauding figure. As for the participation of Albanian Muslims in 
higher education the number is only 2.5%.

The issue of education still has not reached its legal form, something that 
Albanian parties (as Muslims) have requested at the Parliament. It is 
more than true that even in the future this will weaken us.

On the educational plan, Muslims in comparison with Macedonians 
(Christians) feel inferiority, what makes the whole situation terrifying.

According to the statistics of the Islamic Community the number of 
Muslims in this Republic is more than 1.000.000, though there are no 
written arguments to back this up. What is more than sure is that more 
than 45% of the population are Muslims.

The role of Islam is a key factor, both for the stability as well as instability 
of the Republic of Macedonia. But, our weakness results from our 
failure – be it in organizing our selves, or preparation for organizing 
and presentation. This phenomenon is a result of the past times when 
religion was a destructive and anti-governmental element. 

During the former-Yugoslavia theologists didn’t show the necessary 
ability to work and didn’t play the so much needed role in creating a 
religious community that would have been under the influence of its 
own control, in fact, they didn’t fought communism. Somehow they 
surrendered to fate and, what is even worst, to the question “What is 
to be done?!”. There were cases when some of them even gave service 
to the state security.

The Islamic Community in Macedonia, compared with other religious 
communities, is the most supervised and obstructed one by the power, 
not by the law, but the worst of all is that the resistance is not aiming 
to become power or the law.

Islamic theology among the Muslim believers stands between fear and 
knowledge, so the believers have great difficulties of following it on 
the cultural and economic fields side by side the Muslim non-
believers. I may say that the Islamic theology is more engaged with 
the moment of presentation of the theology and the case in its 
historical form, though the history is not an outcome of theology. In 
fact, religion deprived of its dynamics takes the shape of utopia. 
The religion of Islam is controlled by the State in virtue of the most severe 
and most strict world standards.

Newly formed parties, those with members belonging to Islam, are making 
moves to initiate the settlement of Albanian, Turk, Bosnian people’s 
issue in accordance with the present standards in the Balkans. 
Unfortunately, their voice ends up between requests and hope. On the 
other side, their efforts are directed towards promise-givers, especially 
those with great influence in the world. For example, 3 major 
Albanian parties directed their requests to Bill Clinton. We believe 
that the silence of the Islamic East has contributed enough for such 
steps.

As for the picture of the Muslims in the field of economic and living 
standard – the State is not doing anything in this direction, because the 
percentage of Muslims employed in government offices is very small, 
even insulting. Street cleaning and physical labor is designated only 
for us. But, al hamdu li Allah, Muslims are doing their utmost to 
survive and to take care of themselves with their low living standard.



Conclusion

Albanian people have experienced very difficult moments for different 
reasons, especially as a result of the foreign influence. Every religious 
and ideological entity has interpreted the history as they so it fit for 
the given moment. Various political, strategic games as well as the 
economic disaster have taken place here.

International factor, because of the history of this people, has caused a lot 
of damage by dividing this State and by offering many protectorates. 
This idea was promoted by all means by the foreign diplomacy.

Main guilt for all of this should be looked for within the people itself, 
though there are many reasons not to accept this, having in mind the 
proverb “Might is right”, something that we are witnessing today. But 
the overall economic situation is under the minimum level, which 
makes people hopeless. Politically, the voice of the Albanians is very 
silent; religiously this space has become very harmful without any 
knowledge what may happen in the future.

The existing Islamic culture within the Albanian corpus is not 
intellectually able to face all these maneuvers and powers of various 
organizations that have government support, because those destructive 
forces are already realizing their goals in creating within the Albanian 
body a force that would fight the Islamic adherence.

The entire Islamic Ummah is playing an irresponsible role towards the 
issue of the Albanian Muslim population. Continuation of this kind of 
attitude will have damaging impact on the Albanian Muslims. But, 
nevertheless, I’m not losing hope that with the support of our brothers, 
the realization of good results will be obvious.