Recently, Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania visited Bujar Spahiu, the leader of the Muslim Community of Albania, and Haji Dede Edmond Brahimaj, the leader of the Bektashi.
This visit continues the tradition of harmonious coexistence and cooperation established by Archbishop Ioannis’s predecessor, Archbishop Anastasios.
The Archbishop emphasized that “we stand together as always—in times of joy and in times of difficulty. Religious harmony is a great treasure for our country, and it is something we must always strive to preserve in order to demonstrate that it is possible to live together, even when we have different beliefs.”
The pillars of interfaith cooperation in Albania, established by Anastasios, promote peace as a fundamental condition for the country’s cohesion, prosperity, and social tranquility.
The goal remains preserving and strengthening interreligious collaboration in service of peace, security, and coexistence. All sides must act preventively to avoid actions or initiatives that might undermine peace in the country.
Furthermore, in the spirit of mutual respect and trust, the Center for Coordination Against Violence and Extremism has established formal partnerships with each religious community in Albania and with the Interreligious Council as a whole.
The late Archbishop Anastasios, whose spirit continues to guide his successor, worked for peace because his Christian soul could not justify any war, injustice, aggression, or violence committed in the name of religion.
With patience, he built infrastructures of peace in Albania, improving living standards, thought, education, health, and culture.
These infrastructures of peace help people reclaim their dignity. From the moment he first set foot in Albania, he never clashed with those who held different worldviews.
Archbishop Ioannis also looks upon every person with respect, regardless of their beliefs. He speaks the language of love because it is universal.
Fr. Elias Makos
