Albania: a nation of unique inter-religious tolerance and steadfast aspirations for EU integration

Abstract

Religious freedom has been always considered as a strong indicator democracy and institutional set up in a country. Ex- communist countries in their efforts to set up a state of law and foster democracy, particularly, are more sensible toward indicators such as religious freedom, tolerance and diversity considering them strong components of their social tissue necessary to set up a functional democracy. Their past legacy and history, are strong factors influencing their present and future. Analyzing the past, present and future of a country’s religiosity, religious freedom and tolerance, represent a valid contribution not only in terms of social assessment. They also compound a first layer for policies and strategies to create open societies and reinforce the institutional set up and rule of law. Albania, among these countries, represents a very unique case of variation in attitudes and relation toward religion along history. But a strong tolerant component characterizes the overall perception and behavior toward religious diversity. A historic, politic and social analysis of the Albanian case of religious tolerance and co-existence, necessary to understand the real western inspiration of the country and its democracy’s future, is the biggest contribution of this paper.