Phd. Margarita Kola: Ignorance versus Reality

This is an article trying to address in some levels a series of complaints raised recently from average European people against the idea of Albania becoming member of European Union.

First of all, I want to apologize for naming the people’ ignorance because the lack of information those people have about Albania and its old and modern history. People need to be enlightened and this cannot happen unless people read and study.
However, I am trying to provide some information on this issue and related accusations against.

To begin with, Albania is not a Muslim country in any sense. The maths of the last census held on 2011 showed that only 56%of population are not of Christian religion and from this rest of 56% not all are muslims. A considerable % of this non christian population are not believers or atheists to say because of the forced “kind of non – religion “ of the past communism. This group which includes other religions(not christians not muslim) counts for about 4-5% of population. Saying that the figure comes to the term that only 49-50% of the population might be considered muslims. However, it is worth to be underlined for the sake of the argument that 50% of population considered as muslim it is not of the Islam character as it might be perceived from majority of western people because of the strong influence of Bektashi sect which is very pacific, it is against the headscarf and it is more close and similar to orthodoxism rituals than muslim ones. Bektashi counts for over 30%of this so called muslim population and was developed as sect as form of surving religiously during ottoman empire ruling. By the way , Albania is the world center of Bektashism. Please, tell me how numerically Albania can be called a muslim country? I guarantee you that hardly can be seen a headscarfed woman let alone burqa in Albania. Women wear whatever they want to wear and men drink alcohol and are not allowed to have more than one wife. Obviously, there are much more muslims now in each of countries as Germany, France,Italy, Belgium, Netherlands ect than in Albania.

Albania is considered the most tolerant country in the world related to religion and it is the nation which gave to the world the great catholic mother Theresa. This is a real value that the world is begging not to loose as such.In addition, you have to know that Albanians mostly of catholic religion from ancient times changed their religion forcefully during Turkish invasion which lasted 550 years.
I do not think that Europe is honoured by discriminating a very old europian nation which blocked advancing of turks in Europe for 27 years. Above all, the remained Albanian muslims of 20% (excluding bektashi) are not radicals as such radicals are now spread all over Europe because Islam is not either part of Albanian tradition or part of contemporary culture of Albanian society. Who thinks differently it is their problem of not knowing that their own problem is lack of knowledge.

Regarding the matter of naming Albanians as mafia or whatever label might it be it can be said that Albanians have mafia people like Italy, China, Spain, France, Germany, Netherland and any other country might have and given the small population of Albanians in Ballcan ( 7.5 million) numbers are again not promising for the ignorance to applause and accuse ,as well.
Albania has been the most isolated country in Europe during communism time and mafia it was “imported”so to say from abroad. It is not invented by Albanians the drug smuggling and human trafficking!!! Bosses of Mafia are the dirtiest one amongst servants!!! Albanian students are very well known for their excellence in Universities all around the world and the nation is very proud to have lots of scientist, doctors,artists and very well known people to contribute to the modern civilization.

But here comes the last but not the least. Albania it is the only country in Europe that did not kill a jew when all Europe was involved in massive antisemitism. Something that Europe still feels guilty over it!!!

Instead of concluding over issues you do not know thoroughly and haven’t read enough I invite you to come in Albania to visit this beautiful touristic country; good weather ; beautiful beaches; nice food and friendly hospitable european featured people.
Again, Let’s give you a recent example to support what I am saying and meaning above; under unusual circumstances of global pandemia Covid19 when EU countries are very slow and confused do help and support Italy , Spain and each other from a small country as Albania but with a great past history, 30 doctors and nurses we sent to Italy to help the neighboring country, although the country itself is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Facts speak!!!

Albania becoming part of EU it is not an invented desire by Albanians but it is a dream that big countries of EU dreamed upon and as such cannot keep alive that dream without participation of other european countries which means that it is Europe that has its own interest to be expanded. Also, big powers of Europe feel guilty in their subcoussience even though, they do not say loudly for their contribution to separate this european country as a piece of cake and give away its historical territories to Greece and Serbia as russian wanted. Albanians paid the freedom of Kosova with blood and massive killings caused by Serbians , the “spoiled children” of Europe.
Finally, do not blame Albanians for problems of EU but as taxpayers of EU keep giants burocrates accountable!!! Under Covid19 circumstances the best thing Europe shall do it is to stay in Solidarity amongst themselves!

April 1st,2020.