[distributed with the permission of the author]

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 Monte-
negro 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 Çam_ria 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); Ynrgen Walman Foundation ("Fondacioni 'Jnrgen 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 d_n. 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.