Cipa: Religious pluralism in Albania facilitates the spread of extremism, and entire families are being recruited

Albania is unique compared to many other countries due to its religious pluralism, says Aleksander Cipa, president of the Association of Journalists from Tirana, in an interview for Kosovo Online. He explains that this pluralism facilitates the spread of extremism as well as other organizations or individuals aiming to divide society.

"Such dangers come from religious extremism, from specific categories, and known extremist structures. In our country, there has been recruitment and indoctrination of people, especially during the period of the Islamic State war in Syria. There was even recruitment of entire families, particularly in marginalized parts of society. This alarm should always remain active, as authorities who deal with these issues periodically warn of the influence of these structures, which are in contact with various people in Albania," says Cipa.

He also notes that religious communities and institutions must take responsibility, first by cooperating with each other and second by excluding extremist structures.

"The fact remains that in Albania, there are still local religious institutions that are outside the control and administration of religious communities. This means that these institutions are used or misused by extremist individuals. It is not normal for religious communities not to be concerned about this and not to have strengthened partnerships among themselves," he says.

Cipa adds that Albanian religious communities and institutions must also strengthen their cooperation with countries from which extremist influence comes, and which may have terrorist missions.

"Such terrorist elements and institutions in the Balkans have been particularly evident in the last 10 years. Our country is unique compared to many others because there is religious pluralism here. This facilitates the spread of extremism, as well as organizations or individuals whose aim is to divide our society and our religious communities. We have experienced many episodes of violence, even crimes, and tendencies to divide our religious communities," assesses the analyst from Tirana.

He emphasizes that Albania is known for its diversity, even within the sects of Albanian Muslims.

"These negative influences should be the focus of institutions and public debate. This is necessary to avoid danger and to preserve our centuries-old positive religious heritage," he says.

On the other hand, he believes that political parties from the Albanian region often seek to use the religious element for electoral gain, but also that there is significant influence from other countries.

"Often, it seems like certain political parties favor one religion or another. We also have influences from different countries that fund certain individuals or entities. This is also noticeable among some of our neighbors. You can see it in Greece, where investments are made in Orthodoxy, considering it something close to Hellenism. This must, of course, be rejected. We have an even stronger tradition of influence from Turkey, which claims to represent Islam. We also see different currents coming from Iran or other Arab countries," Cipa explains.

He adds that these influences, which seek to benefit from Orthodoxy, Albanian Islam, or Albanian Catholicism, must be combated.

"Additionally, foreign influence should not be allowed in the Bektashi community in Albania, a community with significant influence. The best approach in Albania would be to foster national identity without overshadowing religious identity. This effort was left to us as a legacy by our 19th-century revivalists," he concludes.