TIRANA, March 28 /ATA/ – By I. Vata/ – The Albanian model of harmony and understanding between religious communities is a valuable asset to us, Albanians and an example for entire world, President of the Republic Ilir Meta said in his remarks at the event on 95th anniversary of Muslim community.
President Meta congratulated the Muslim community on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of its foundation. “Muslim community was founded by the Renaissance figures and patriots out of spiritual need to fulfil the freedom of Albanians,” Meta said.
President of the Republic went on saying: It is a meaningful fact that the founders of Muslin community were the signatories to the act of Albania independence in 1912. Therefore, today we pay tribute to Muslim clerics as Haxhi Vebi Dibra, Hafiz Ali Korca, Dërvish Hima, Hafiz Ibrahim Dalliu and many other outstanding founders who dedicated their life to Islam faith, he said.
The Albanian world has been in contact with religious faiths for centuries and throughout this journey the Muslim believers have played a crucial role in all state-forming processes that our country has gone through as Prizreni League, entire period of National Renaissance, Manastiri Congress, they have been the main champions and a source of inspiration for subsequent mass movements that would lead to independence of the country,” Meta said.
Quoting extracts from “Zani i Nalt” magazine that we are a European country, Meta said: As such we need to absorb everything decent manners from the western civilization
Athesim during the time of dictatorship was another topic that president touched. “Atheistic communist regime hit and banned religion, destroyed mosques and churches, persecuted the clergy and believers, nevertheless they never subdued the faith of Albanians in God. With democratic changes in Albania, the
Muslims reclaimed their religious freedoms and with Hafiz Sabri Koçi at the helm the religious communities rose from the ashes,” the president said,
Co-habitation, harmony and religious tolerance is the distinctive feature of Albanian people. “Albanian model of harmony and understanding is a valuable asset for us Albanians and an example for the world. This model is unique and a positive reality in a region rife with painful stories, ethnic and religious clashes.
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