Between Christianity and Islam : Albania as a country of many faiths after 1991

Albania is a country with three dominant religions: Islam, Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism. The co-existence of the followers of these religions is harmonious with no or very rare incidents of a religious background. Despite the risks related to the radicalisation of certain attitudes, primarily among Muslims, one must say that Albania is a country where religious tolerance is observed. Individual Churches still face important tasks. In the case of the Albanian Muslim Community, headed by Haxhi Selim Muça since March 2004, key ones include, first and foremost, ensuring its financial security so as minimise the economic dependence from external actors. However, the most controversial at the moment is the restitution of property of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the fact that authority over the Orthodox Church in Albania is held by Archbishop Anastasios who is Greek. The structures of the Catholic Church in Albania - which during Enver Hoxha’s rule sustained major losses not just among the clergy but also lay Catholics - have been rebuilt from scratch. The Catholic Church cooperates with other faiths following the principles of ecumenism.