*ARCHIVED OCTOBER 2007 // CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT DATA
Albania (click here to view a satellite map)
Population: 3,563,112
Christians: 30%
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Persecution Ranking: Not Ranked
Political Leader: President Alfred Moisiu
Religious Freedom in Constitution: Yes. According to Albania's 1998 Constitution, there is no official religion and all religions are equal; however, the predominant religious communities enjoy a greater degree of official recognition and social status based on their historical presence in the country.
The existence of evangelicals and other faiths is often portrayed by Muslims, Orthodox and Catholics as a disturbance to social custom. Sometimes church leaders encounter difficulty getting permits to build churches.
After decades of rigidly enforced atheism under the communist regime which ended in 1990, the majority of citizens are secular in orientation. Despite their non-religious worldview, most citizens traditionally associate themselves with a religious group.
In 1967, the Communist government banned all religious practices and expropriated the property of the established Islamic, Orthodox, Catholic and other churches. The Government has not yet returned all the properties and religious objects that were confiscated during the Communist regime. Even when religious buildings were returned, the government has often failed to return the land that surrounds the buildings. This is sometimes due to redevelopment claims by private individuals who began farming it or using it for other purposes. The government does not have the resources to compensate churches adequately for the extensive damage many religious properties suffered.
Prayer Points
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Pray that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to shatter the spiritual darkness and impact especially children and young people who are the future of this nation. |
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Pray for success of the combined mission groups through the Albanian Encouragement Project to evangelize and train Christians and plant churches. |
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Pray for displaced Albanians (almost half live outside Albania) that they may hear the Gospel and that churches can be established in these communities. |
Father, we pray for the peace and development of Albania and for political stability. We praise You that after years of dark, atheistic rule, the Christian Church is emerging. We ask You to give those who have adopted a purely secular view on life the opportunity to meet You face to face and find the Living One who made and loves them.
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