Archbishop Anastasios of Albania assumes presidency of Interreligious Council of Albania

On 10 February 2024, the first meeting of this year’s Board of the Interreligious Council of Albania was convened at the Archdiocese of Tirana.

Among the leaders of the religious communities present were Bujar Spahiu, President of the Muslim Community of Albania, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania, Angelo Massafra, President of the Episcopal Conference, Dede Edmond Brahimaj, World Chief of the Bektashi, and Ergest Biti, President of the Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania.

The focal point of the meeting was Archbishop Anastasios assuming the role of the president of the Interreligious Council of Albania for the year 2024, in accordance with the council’s statute. Archbishop Anastasios, one of the council’s four founding members in 2007, previously served as its president in 2019. That year, he was also re-elected Honorary President by the World Assembly of Religions for Peace, recognising his significant contributions to interfaith dialogue.

Following this, the meeting proceeded with the presentation of the activity and financial reports for 2023. The establishment of a working group tasked with drafting the strategic plan for the period 2024-2029 was approved, and Mrs. Sonila Dedja was appointed to lead the Women’s Department for 2024.

Additionally, the Board members discussed various other matters, including concerns regarding statements made by certain pseudo-clerics and external interference in the internal affairs of religious communities. They underscored the importance of further strengthening interreligious cooperation for the betterment of Albanian society.

Source: Archdiocese of Albania