It is very diversified, from electronics, manufacturing,[209] textiles, to food, cement, mining,[210] and energy. [101] The constitution of the communist regime did not allow taxes on individuals, instead, taxes were imposed on cooperatives and other organisations, with much the same effect. [citation needed]. [167] Others, like academic Olsi Jazexhi, have added that contemporary Albanian politicians akin to the Communists perceive "Modernisation" to mean "De-Islamisation", making Muslim Albanians feel alienated from their Muslim traditions instead of celebrating them and embracing their Ottoman heritage. [70][87] Hafiz Sabri Koi, (19212004) an imam imprisoned by the communist regime and who led the first prayer service in Shkodr 1990 became the grand mufti of the Muslim Community of Albania. Arianism had at that point extended to Illyria, where Arius himself had been exiled to by Constantine.[11]. [262], After the fall of communism in 1991, human resources in sciences and technology in Albania have drastically decreased. However, there is some fragmented evidence, pre-dating Buzuku, which indicates that Albanian was written from at least the 14th century. [136][137] Farther south extends the Large and Small Lake of Prespa, which are among the highest positioned lakes in the Balkans. [8] The steady growth of the Christian community in Dyrrhachium (the Roman name for Epidamnus) led to the creation of a local bishopric in 58 AD. Habibi (Albanian Remix). [200] According to Forbes, as of December2016[update], the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was growing at 2.8%. Albania, a small country with a big heart Muslim population: 58.8% An exceptionally well-kept Balkan secret, Albania is an entire roster of attractions - everything from snowcapped mountains, to warm, glittering beaches; a bustling, cosmopolitan capital and a strong Islamic heritage. Page 19. Muslim populations have been particularly strong in eastern and northern Albania and among Albanians living in Kosovo and Macedonia. [141] An expedition from the University of Colorado discovered four glaciers within these mountains at a relatively low altitude of 2,000 metres (6,600ft), which is extremely rare for such a southerly latitude. The phenomenon of Islamisation among the Albanians became primarily widespread from the 17th century and continued into the 18th century. "Religion separates, patriotism unites." [83][84] Meanwhile, the revolt of Albanian peasants against the new Albanian regime erupted under the leadership of the group of Muslim clerics gathered around Essad Pasha Toptani, who proclaimed himself the saviour of Albania and Islam. [184] These Muslim militants used Albania as a base for money laundering and as a transit route into the West with at times the assistance of corrupt government employees. [176] Sufi Islam in Albania interprets the Ottoman era as promoting a distorted form of Islam that was corrupted within a Sunni Ottoman polity that persecuted them. Seventy per cent of Albania's 3m population are of Muslim origin, but the number of practicing believers is much smaller. [42] When religious conflict occurred it was between clans of opposing faiths, while within the scope of clan affiliation, religious divisions were sidelined. 1999 - Nato air strikes against Yugoslav military targets. On 29 July 1913, the Treaty of London delineated the borders of the country and its neighbours, leaving many Albanians outside Albania, predominantly partitioned between Montenegro, Serbia and Greece.[77]. The Autostrada 1 (A1) represents an integral transportation corridor in Albania and the longest motorway of the country. In 2015, tourism in summer increased by 25 percent in contrast the previous year according to the country's tourism agency. [91] Italians exercised control over nearly every Albanian official through money and patronage. 1990 - Independent political parties formed. Halvetis also live near Bektashis in Mallakastra, Tepelena, Gjirokastra, Delvina, Permet, Leskovik, Korca, and the city of Berat. [30] However, the persecutions of local Catholics did not begin in 1349 when the Code was declared in Skopje, but much earlier, at least since the beginning of the 14th century. The Day of Sultan Novruz (Nowruz) on 22 March is an official holiday that celebrates the birth of Imam Ali. Political stability Nowadays, Albania is preparing for new general elections amid a remarkable political stability, true democratic process, and a peaceful transition of power. However, when this effort failed to expel Ottoman rule from the area yet again, many of Kosovo's Catholics fled to Hungary. The syncretic Bektashi sect, meanwhile, gained adherence across large parts of the South, especially Skrapari and Dishnica where it is the overwhelming majority. Regular fasting during Ramadan or Lent was similarly low in Muslims and Christians (5% and 6%, respectively). In 1998, the country contributed in supporting allied efforts to end the humanitarian tragedy in Kosovo and secure the peace after the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. [187][188] The government introduced the new administrative divisions to be implemented in 2015, whereby municipalities were reduced to 61, while the rurals were abolished. Many Kelmendi people fled, and some were executed trying to cross the border.[96]. [216] Eagle, Vodafone and Telekom Albania are the leading telecommunications service providers in the country. Like neighboring and mainly Albanian-inhabited Kosovo, Albania has a Muslim majority - a legacy of centuries of Ottoman rule, other main religions are Albanian Orthodox (20%), and Roman Catholic (10%). by Michael Martin, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK (2005) , O'Brien, Joanne and Martin Palmer (1993). The 300,000 mark is supported by Greek government as well. There are around 700,000 concrete bunkers spread throughout Albania. [167] These views, however, are rare and often depicted as extremist in Albanian society. [41] Gentius clashed with the Romans in 168BC, initiating the Third Illyrian War. The first reading lesson in elementary schools introduced a patriotic catechism beginning with this sentence, "I am an Albanian. The role of 'Europe' in Albanian Nationalist Discourse", Official Homepage of the Muslim Community of Albania , Official Homepage of the (worldwide headquarters of the) Bektashi Order in Albania , Albanian Institute of Islamic Thought & Civilization , Reception of Islam in Early Modern Europe, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Islam_in_Albania&oldid=1112969743, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Articles with dead external links from April 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 29 September 2022, at 01:38. 1948 - Albania breaks ties with Yugoslavia; Soviet Union begins economic aid to Albania. [177] Albanian Sunni Muslim clergy however views the conversion of Albanians as a voluntary process, while sidelining religious controversies associated with the Ottoman era. 9 August 2012. Among the Muslims, at least 200,000 (or 17%) were Bektashis, while most of the rest were Sunnis, in addition to a collection of much smaller orders. The nation has participated at the Mediterranean Games since the games of 1987 in Syria. Nevertheless, Eastern and Western Rite Catholic, Christian, and Muslim holidays are recognized and represented in the country. 2009 - Albania officially joins Nato and formally applies for membership of the European Union. [citation needed]. [65] Albanian communists viewed religion as a societal threat that undermined the cohesiveness of the nation. [64], The Agrarian Reform Law of August 1946 nationalized most property of religious institutions, including the estates of monasteries, orders, and dioceses. Twitter users jump to Mastodon - but what is it? Enver Hoxha installed as new leader. [135] In the southeast rises the Lake of Ohrid that is one of the oldest continuously existing lakes in the world. The chiefs of these units received training from the U.S. government and implement projects with local government counterparts aimed at detecting and countering terrorist radicalization efforts. However, this division does not apply nowadays. Cooking traditions especially vary between the north and the south, owing to differing topography and climate that essentially contribute to the excellent growth conditions for a wide array of herbs, fruits, and vegetables.[353]. "We are no longer Muslim, Orthodox, Catholic, we are all Albanians." The Albanians, as Christians, were considered an inferior class of people, and as such they were subjected to heavy taxes among others by the Devshirme system that allowed the Sultan to collect a requisite percentage of Christian adolescents from their families to compose the Janissary. It's because the communism era that Albanians faced for about half a century. Howdy Madlads! [114][115] It also applied to join the European Union on 28 April 2009, receiving official candidate status on 24 June 2014. [355][356] Its wine is characterised by its sweet taste and traditionally indigenous varieties. Angevin forces took part in the unsuccessful siege of Berat castle, and were repulsed by Byzantine forces. [83] Vlora and Butrint also saw Catholicization, and at the peak of Catholic power in the Balkans with Albania as a stronghold, Catholic structures began appearing as far afield as Skopje in 1326. There has been a considerable increase in private car ownership and bus usage while rail use decreased since the end of communism. [11][12][13] Albania provides universal health care and free primary and secondary education to its citizens. India 18 crore 90 lakh 3rd. Many "tekkes" (lodges) operate today in Albania. Party leader Sali Berisha becomes first elected president. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. [99], Some well-known Albanian contemporary atheists include Ismail Kadare, Dritro Agolli,[100] Ben Blushi,[101] Fatos Lubonja,[102] Mustafa Nano,[103] Saimir Pirgu,[104] Diana uli,[105] Gilman Bakalli,[106] Fatos Tarifa,[107] Blendi Fevziu[108] Edmond Tupja[sq],[109] Ylli Rakipi[sq],[110] Elton Deda,[111] and Moikom Zeqo[sq]. [6][84][85], In the 1990s, Muslim Albanians placed their focus on restoring institutions, religious buildings and Islam as a faith in Albania that had overall been decimated by the communists. [63], In the aftermath of World War Two, the communist regime came to power and Muslims, most from southern Albania, were represented from early on within the communist leadership group, such as leader Enver Hoxha (19081985), his deputy Mehmet Shehu (19131981) and others. There was a Sa'di tekke in Gjakova in 1600, and two Sa'di tekkes in Tepelena two centuries later, as well as some historical presence in Tropoja, Gjirokastr, Elbasan and Peza. [258] In 2009, the company Enel announced plans to build an 800 MW coal-fired power plant in the country, to diversify electricity sources. [18] Local Albanian nobles maintained good relations with the Papacy. In the Middle Ages, Albania was ruled by many Catholic rulers, including natives but notably the Angevins and it became a site of the spread of Catholicism in the Balkans at the expense of Orthodoxy as previously Orthodox Albanian nobles and their subjects converted as they grew increasingly loyal to the Western powers as a way to fend off threats coming from Orthodox political entities. At that period there were around seventeen Catholic bishoprics in the country, which acted not only as centers for Catholic reform within Albania, but also as centers for missionary activity in the neighboring areas, with the permission of the pope. Nigeria 10 crore 30 lakh 5th. The Albanian diaspora has been formed since the late Middle Ages, when they emigrated to places such as Italy, especially in Sicily and Calabria, and Greece to escape either various socio-political difficulties or the Ottoman conquest of Albania. Zhelyazkova, Antonina, Albanian identities, page 15. The Islamization of Albania occurred as a result of the Ottoman conquest of the region beginning in 1385.The Ottomans through their administration and military brought Islam to Albania through various policies and tax incentives, trade networks and transnational religious links. Islam in Albania mainly arrived during the Ottoman period when the majority of Albanians over time converted to Islam. [53][52] A new form of prayer was also implemented (standing, instead of the traditional salat ritual). The civil law, codified and based on the Napoleonic Code, is divided between courts with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and administrative courts. Those Albanian Orthodox, who, in the fashion of 19th century Balkan nationalism, sought to see their church as an Albanian rather than Greek body, were frequently excommunicated by the Greek-speaking hierarchy. All contacts between Balkan people and Muslims before 1352 had been spontaneous, isolated occurrences without any lasting religious influence on the locals. The prime minister, appointed by the president and approved by the parliament, is authorised to constitute the cabinet. After Mustafa Kemal Atatrk banned all Sufi orders in 1925, the Bektashi leadership moved to Albania and established their headquarters in the city of Tirana, where the community declared its separation from the Sunni. [91][101] In a post-communist environment the Muslim Community of Albania has been seeking from successive Albanian governments a return and restitution of properties and land confiscated by the communist regime though without much progress. [327][328], Albania is a secular and religiously diverse country with no official religion and thus, freedom of religion, belief and conscience are guaranteed under the country's constitution.[329]. [244], Cardiovascular disease remain the principal cause of death in the country accounting 52% of total deaths. Zogu remained a conservative but initiated reforms and placed great emphasis on the development of infrastructure. In addition to the four traditional religious groups, there are substantial numbers of followers of Protestant denominations, Bahs, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and other religious groups. The country's population rose steadily from 2.5million in 1979 until 1989, when it peaked at 3.1million. [112], Other Muslim communities are of a Slavic linguistic background. 7. [4][122][123] Some contemporary Muslim Albanians in Albania see themselves as being the purest Albanians. The former was limited to coastal towns while the latter was spread out over the countryside, and while the language of the Albanians was noted as quite different from Latin, both peoples are noted as writing with Latin letters. The highways and motorways in Albania are properly maintained and often still under construction and renovation. "Strong GDP growth reduces poverty in Albania-study". As well as TV networks run by public RTSH, there are three licensed national private networks and scores of local stations. [118][119][120], Throughout the duration of the Communist regime, national Albanian identity was constructed as being irreligious and based upon a common unitary Albanian nationality. [34] From 1920 until 1925 a four-member governing regency council from the four religious denominations (Sunni, Bektashi, Catholic, Orthodox) was appointed. The US State Department estimates that Greeks make up 1.17%, and other minorities 0.23%, of the population. [259], The water resources of Albania are particularly abundant in all the regions of the country and comprise lakes, rivers, springs and groundwater aquifers. National report 2015", "The Bosnian Muslims and Albanians: Islam and Nationalism", "The Muslim Chams of Northwestern Greece: The grounds for the expulsion of a "non-existent" minority community", "The Politics of 'Religious Tolerance' in Post-Communist Albania: Ideology, Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration", "Involvement of Central European states in the military operations of NATO", "Muslim Identity in the Balkans in the Post-Ottoman Period", Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, "God in the 'Land of the Mercedes.' [146] Some Albanian commenters also argue that the census takers guessed religion based on the responders family names and that even the census responders did give an answer based on family origin and not actual religion. During the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, the Socialist People's Republic of Albania banned all religions, including Judaism, in adherence to the doctrine of state atheism. Albanian Identities. In Kosovo, Albanians make up the largest ethnic group in the country. Larousse Dictionary of Beliefs & Religions (Larousse: 1994); pg. The oldest found seeds in the region are 4,000 to 6,000 years old. The distance from the east to west is 148km (92mi) and from the north to south about 340km (211mi). [36][42] Although there were certain instances of violently forced conversion, usually this was achieved through debatably coercive economic incentives in particular, the head tax on Christians was drastically increased. It was reported in Albanian media that there were instances of pollsters telling respondents that the religion question would be filled out for them. According to a WIN/Gallup International study in 2016 about the beliefs of the Albanians: Estimates of the 2018 published Swiss Metadatabase of Religious Affiliation (SMRE) assume for the period 2000 (19962005) 8% Catholics, 15% Orthodox, 65.9% Muslims and 10.9% people with no religious affiliation. Ilir Meta was elected as president by parliament in April 2017, having served as Speaker in 2013. [179] Since the fall of communism, the country has participated in six international missions but participated in only one United Nations mission in Georgia, where it sent 3 military observers. Official slogans began to appear everywhere. Albania has been inhabited by different civilisations over time, such as the Illyrians, Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans. 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