TIRANA, May 30 – On Tuesday, the US Department of State released its annual report on the state of religious freedom in the world, saying for Albania that although its constitution allows religious freedom, certain issues with re-appropriation of confiscated properties during communism and teacher trainings on anti-radicalization still persist.
The report includes data on the state of religious freedom in 200 states and territories and documents violations committed by governments, terrorist groups and individuals.
In separate chapters, the report analyzed Albania and Kosovo’s religious freedoms, emphasizing problems similar to those in the past.
The report said there is no official religion in Albania, that the state is neutral in matters of religious faith, recognizes the equality and independence of religious groups and prohibits religious discrimination.
Among others, it said, the government legalized 41 mosques last year, compared to 137 the year before that, six in 2015 and none in 2014.
However, religious groups have reported the country’s Property Treatment Agency, the report highlighted, has still to process any claims for the re-appropriation of confiscated property during Albania’s long communist period while only approving one compensation claim.
In addition, the report stated that between January and May, the government trained 29 teachers in 15 schools as part of a pilot educational project that aimed to prevent religious radicalism and promote tolerance.
Concerning this project, the report said that its implementation stalled in May and its future is still unclear. It also mentioned how the Islamic Community in Albania was criticized in social media for a “perceived insult” to national hero Skanderbeg, on the occasion of Eid celebrations.
In context, the Inter-Religious Council of Albania, a forum of the country’s religious leaders who gather to discuss common concerns, met three times last year, unlike in 2016, when it didn’t meet once.
The State Department report also mentioned President Ilir Meta granting citizenship to the Archbishop of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church Anastasios Janullatos for renewing the church after communism – a move that was welcomed by the Greek side, but caused mixed political sentiments in Albania.
The report mentions the US Embassy’s commitment to encourage government officials to solve the issue of religious groups’ properties, educating youth on religious diversity, strengthening women in religious communities and preventing violent extremism.
Although public schools are secular, private schools are allowed to teach religion. According to 2006 data, religious groups, foundations and organizations have 125 associations linked with 116 educational institutions, including universities, primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, vocational schools and orphanages.
The country’s four main religious communities said, according to the report, that total government support for them remains 109 million ALL, unchanged from 2016.
In a visit during May, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion, in addition to greeting government efforts to protect religious freedoms, also urged the government to work on property re-appropriation.
He mentioned Albania as a “model of religious harmony,” he also called for its preservation.
