How is Ramadan celebrated in Albania? Are there any specific things you eat/do to break the fast?
Albanians are well known all over the world for their hospitality. In this context, during Ramadan we visit our relatives frequently, break the fast with them, feed the poor people, and we try to accompany each job with Ramadan’s atmosphere and values. In the large cities of our country, Muslim believers generally break the fast with Arabic persimmons but in small villages they prefer to apply the tradition of our ancestors by breaking the fast with pancakes.
How do you celebrate Eid in Albania?
In the historic context Albanians have always celebrated this day with their families. The harmony and atmosphere of Eid is well represented in every corner of our country. We visit our neighbours, we congratulate our relatives by calling them, we prepare the best food we can, we buy gifts for our children, feed the poor people, pray together, etc. During the second day, we pay attention to visiting our relatives and sharing the joy with them.
Are there any rituals or customs that are specific to the Albanian Muslim community?
As the Muslim Community of Albania we make sure to organize every year the Eid prayers in the city squares. Also, we try to support the poor people during these days with different basic supply packages. We also decorate the streets with congratulations messages.
Many people don't know that Albania is actually a majority Muslim nation, but with a sizeable Christian population. Yet there are few reports of communal violence. How do you think Albania has managed to retain this harmony?
In the institutional context there is an absolutely good relation between the religious communities in our country, this is shown by organizing common activities, by inviting each other on different occasions and by congratulating each other during religious festive days. We also try to educate our believers with respect and tolerance toward other communities’ believers. Religious harmony and tolerance is a well-known aspect of our country, these values are inherited from our parents and grandparents.
Can you comment on the evolution of Islam in Albania – from being a central part of the Ottoman Empire to being under decades of state-sponsored atheism during communist rule? Do you think these historical changes have impacted the practice of Islam?
The Communism system gave our country maybe the most brutal hit you can give to a nation by stopping the people from worshipping God. In 1967, we were declared as the first atheist country in the world, which made religion and its practicing prohibited by law. Even after murdering hundreds of believers and crushing and smashing hundreds or thousands of mosques, they couldn’t lift the belief from our hearts. After 45 years of the communist regime, in 1990, the belief in the one true God was still fresh in our hearts. After the 90s, the practicing of Islam began to improve slowly. Even though we are the largest religious community in our country, we can’t define the number of practicing believers. But we can mention that the new generation is well educated in the Islamic context and we work every day to approach them with Islam and its practice.
Albania is a country with a long history of Islam. What sites/places do you recommend to learn about this history?
I would recommend Shkodra, one of the largest cities of our country, as an example of interreligious tolerance. It was exactly this city in which Islam was reborn after the dictatorial system. Over the years, it has shown a strong and well-formed Islamic identity. We can also mention many different Islamic personalities born in and raised by this city who have played an important role in the development of Islam and other scientific fields at the same time.
What comes to your mind when someone speaks of Albanian Muslim culture? Are there any tensions between your identities as Albanians and as Muslims?
In the structure of the first government of our country, which was established in Vlora in 1912, there were different imams playing important roles such as ministers of our country. We can also mention Haxhi Vehbi Dibra, head of the first Muslim Community of Albania, as an important figure in the independence of Albania. So we can conclude that the Albanian and Muslim identities are tightly connected. They have never hampered each other, and on the contrary, they have always been seen as one.
Currently, there is a lot of debate in Bangladesh on the Rohingya refugees on our borders, and the duty of all Muslims to help oppressed Muslims. What are your thoughts on this?
Religious freedom is a fundamental human right and no one can be persecuted because of religion. There is absolutely a humanitarian crisis caused by Myanmar’s state by forcing Rohingya Muslims to leave their homes. Of course, what is happening to the Rohingya is unacceptable, a clear violation of human rights and a shameful situation for all human beings. International organizations, civil societies, and political actors must have a strong reaction in order to end this humanitarian crisis, and to end the suffering of Rohingya Muslims.
Finally, as Chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania, do you have any words for the people of Bangladesh?
I send my greetings, and my prayers to all my brothers in Bangladesh, may Allah protect them, and bring happiness and peace to their family and society.
