According to thereligionfaqs, Albania is a predominantly Muslim country, with approximately 58.8% of the population identifying as Sunni Muslims and 16.9% as Bektashi Muslims. The remaining population is largely composed of Orthodox Christians (16.5%), Roman Catholics (6.2%), and Atheists (1%). Islam was introduced to Albania in the 15th century during the Ottoman Empire’s rule, while Christianity has been present since the 4th century when it was brought by missionaries from Rome and Constantinople. The Constitution of Albania guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religious belief or practice. Furthermore, it recognizes all religious communities as equal before the law and allows them to freely practice their faith without interference from the state or other religious organizations. The government also provides funding for religious organizations in order to maintain their structures and activities, although this funding is distributed fairly among all recognized religions in proportion to their size in the population. Despite its majority Muslim population, Albania has a long tradition of religious tolerance and openness to other faiths and beliefs, which is evident in its diverse culture today. People from different backgrounds often come together to celebrate traditional festivals such as Nowruz (the Persian New Year) or Christmas, which are celebrated by people from both Muslim and Christian backgrounds alike. This spirit of open-mindedness towards different beliefs helps foster an atmosphere of mutual understanding between people of different religions in Albania today. In 2011, Albania was a country slowly emerging from decades of communist rule. The communist regime had ended in 1990, but the transition to democracy had been slow and difficult. Economic reforms were underway, but poverty was still widespread with over one-third of the population living below the poverty line. Infrastructure was also in need of improvement, with limited access to clean water or electricity in some areas. Education was a challenge as well, with only about half of adults possessing basic literacy skills. Despite these difficulties, many Albanians were determined to rebuild their lives and create a better future for themselves and their children. International aid organizations were providing assistance to those most affected by poverty while encouraging economic reforms and democratic practices. Small business owners were starting businesses and creating jobs while charities were helping to provide basic services such as health care and education. Though progress has been slow, there is evidence that Albania is slowly but surely making its way towards a more prosperous future. Check philosophynearby for Albania in 2019.
Albania – The Land of the Eagle Sons Albania, the land of the Skipetars or the land of the sons of the eagles, as it is called in Albanian, has retained something of its wildness and loneliness that fascinated Kara Ben Nemsi (Karl May) to this day. The largely untouched nature is breathtakingly beautiful and […]
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Shopping Overview Albania has ancient handicraft traditions in weaving carpets (called qilim, also known as kilim, from table runners to large formats such as tapestries) and fabrics, filigree work in silver and copper, woodcarving and ceramics, embroidery and sewing. Most handicraft shops and glass factories have stopped working. At all tourist locations, in front of […]
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