« Help the weak, take care of those in need. »
The Muslim community of Albania today congratulated the believers for easy fasting during Ramadan, remembering that « this is the month of solidarity and brotherhood », so he called for « to help the weakest, with compassion and generosity, which need care and support ».
The chairman of this community, Haji Bujar Spahiu, emphasized in a message of congratulations, for peaceful and prosperous Ramadan, that it should be strengthened in this holy month « connections with family and relatives, but also with society as a whole, making the community more sensitive and united ».
« This is a sacred month of blessed reflection, dedication and spiritual cleansing, … to cultivate patience … and to radiate love for others, » said Mr. Spahiu.
He emphasized that « … fasting is not only a physical sacrifice, but a deep spiritual process, aimed at building a sustainable, pious personality and filled with high moral values. »
Muslim believers occupy nearly half of the country's population. According to the census of the Census 2023, in Albania with 2.4 million inhabitants, 1.1 million Muslim believers, over 200,000 Catholics, about 175,000 Orthodox, 115,000 Bektashi, and less in other beliefs and atheists.
Religious communities in Albania are known for inter -religious tolerance and have not recorded any conflict motivated by religious belief for centuries.
Meanwhile, over 40 percent of the population is exposed to poverty, according to official data, mainly in rural areas, where major services and employment are limited and unequal to other regions.
Immigration has become an influential phenomenon for many areas, while 40 percent of Albanians live abroad and support powerless families with remittances to cope with living, so calls for the support of the poor often occupy the messages of religious communities.
