The damage Turkey is causing in Albania through its financing and promotion of Islam is deep and, in many respects, irreversible.
Through a sustained strategy, a new generation is being shaped with openly anti-European sentiments — a generation that, tomorrow, could be mobilized in line with Ankara’s interests for any cause that serves its agenda.
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What is even more disturbing is that many of those who attend mosques financed by Turkey no longer feel any sympathy for Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. And isn’t that tragic?
A small country like Albania, which, compared with the great nations of Europe, has only a limited number of national symbols it can take pride in, is allowing someone else to denigrate precisely those symbols.
When I used to work at the Muslim Community of Albania, people tried to conceal Turkish influence — perhaps because they still had some sense of national pride. Today, the opposite is happening openly: the Turkish flag is displayed, people boast about Turkey, and anyone who thinks differently is labeled a “Greek,” a “Serb,” or a “sellout.”
This is a mini-jihad fully financed by Turkey. “Mini” for now, because they are still not a numerical majority. But what happens tomorrow, when Albanians of other faiths or secular Albanians begin to feel threatened by this reality?
Confrontation is inevitable.
That is why I consider Turkish influence in every sphere of Albanian society a serious risk, especially now that Albania is seeking to become part of the European Union.
Ermir Gjinishi
Former Deputy Chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania