On May 3, 2018, in the premises of Rogner International Hotel, in Tirana, an International Conference on the Interfaith Dialogue was held. It was titled: “Albania, a model of interfaith harmony in Europe”.
The organizers of the event which was supported by the Austrian Embassy in our country, were “Beder” University, the “Logos” University College and the “The Lady of the Good Council” Catholic University. It was attended by the heads of the Religious Communities, clergy, state representatives, academics, researchers and theologians from Albania and Europe.
The first session of the Conference, moderated by Ms. Loreta Aliko, the Chair of the Committee on Cults, was opened by Mr. Johann Sattler, the Ambassador of Austria, and then then event was welcomed by the Apostolic Nuncio in Albania, Mgr. Charles Brown and the Minister of Culture, Ms. Mirela Kumbaro.
Following were the leaders of the Religious Communities, starting with the Chairman of the Muslim Community, His Grace Skënder Bruçaj and the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, His Beatitude Anastasios, who said that, “During these years we tried to cultivate mutual respect, reciprocity and harmonious reciprocal coexistence “… stressing further that, “We strive to take the juices from the healthy roots of religious biome and help the social development and progress of Albania … “.
Afterwards, the head of Bektashi community, Haxhi Dede Edmon Brahimaj and the President of the Evangelical Brotherhood, Mr. Ylli Doçi greeted the participants in the event.
In the end, the heads of the Religious Communities signed a joint statement.
Then the conference sessions followed in which lecturers from all three universities, as well as theologians, foreign scholars etc, delivered their words on the occasion.
Translated by: Juliana Kodheli
