The recent incident in Orosh, where Julian Cumraku and Erzen Uka were arrested after threatening RENEA forces with armed violence, has reopened an important debate in Albania about the presence of extremist elements within certain religious institutions. Imam Ylli Gurra, one of the most prominent clerics in the country, has sounded a strong alarm about the risk posed by several mosques that, according to him, have turned into breeding grounds for radical ideologies.
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| Screenshof of Imam Ylli Gurra while speaking in a local TV |
Referring to the well-known case of the Mezez Mosque in 2014, where security forces and the Albanian Intelligence Service conducted operations due to suspicions of extremist activity, Gurra noted that similar issues persist. He explained that certain individuals have exploited these religious spaces not only to spread radical ideas but also to secure funds under the guise of promoting Islam. According to him, these structures rely on misinterpretations and manipulations that have influenced vulnerable groups, including those who eventually traveled to Syria to join militant groups.
He stressed the importance of distinguishing true Islamic faith, practiced peacefully by hundreds of thousands of Muslims in Albania, from the actions of individuals who deliberately misuse religion for harmful purposes. Gurra highlighted that many Albanians who ended up in Syria were manipulated and misled, becoming victims of ideological exploitation rather than representatives of their community’s beliefs.
One of Gurra’s key concerns lies in the misuse of the mosque in Kryeviz, a case he says should have been addressed a decade ago. He pointed out that although Albania has made progress in reducing extremist hotspots since the peak years of 2014–2015, dozens of problematic mosques still exist across the country. These places once played a role in the radicalization that led around 140 Albanian citizens to join conflicts in Syria. While the number has decreased, the existence of even a small number of such centers remains dangerous.
He confirmed that one such mosque remains active inside the ring of Tirana. Other problematic areas include Pogradec, Puka, and Kryeviz, as evidenced by the recent public exposure of these cases. Gurra also placed some responsibility on the employees of the Muslim Community, emphasizing that many have not taken the necessary steps to intervene and restore proper religious order. He stated that serving in a religious institution carries both human and spiritual duties that must not be neglected.
For Gurra, the situation calls for urgent attention and long-term structural action. He believes that Albanian institutions, in cooperation with responsible religious authorities, must ensure that places of worship are protected from extremist influence. Failure to act not only endangers public security but also damages the image of the wider Muslim community, which overwhelmingly practices a moderate and peaceful form of Islam.
The Orosh case, and the warnings from Imam Ylli Gurra, underline the need for vigilance and responsible leadership. As Albania continues to strengthen its institutions and safeguard its social fabric, addressing the misuse of religious spaces remains a critical part of preventing radicalization and ensuring harmony within the country.