Switzerland Conference Discusses Role of Mosques in Serving Society
The Albanian Muslim community living in Switzerland organized the conference this past Sunday to discuss the growing role of Albanian mosques in serving the homeland and religion and creating a balanced model of conscious and responsible coexistence, the muslimsaroundtheworld website reported.
Today, Albanian mosques in different countries are one of the most important places for shaping identity and strengthening intercultural communication in Europe. They have gone beyond their traditional role as places of worship and have become active centers that redefine the relationship of communities with their homeland on the one hand and with new European societies on the other.
In this context, the Albanian Islamic Community in Switzerland hosted this international conference.
The scientific gathering marked an important milestone, bringing together representatives of Albanian Islamic communities from the Western Balkan countries, including Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro, along with delegations from Albanian Muslim communities in Western Europe.
Sheikh Khalil Afduli, Imam of the Albanian Mosque in the Swiss canton of Glarus and one of the conference participants, emphasized on his personal Facebook page that this high-quality conference demonstrated the strength of the Albanian Muslim community in Switzerland.
He said this community is no longer marginalized in the public discourse, but is now ready to play its rightful role in Swiss society.
He noted that the conference added an academic and analytical dimension to issues related to migrants, confirming that Albanian mosques among today’s migrants are not just places of worship, but also centers of identity, knowledge, service and integration.
He concluded by saying that Albanian Muslims in Europe are a model of maturity, effectiveness and hard work, and called for continued efforts to strengthen the voice, identity and role of this minority in society.
The Islamic Society of North Macedonia also announced on its official Facebook page that the conference served as a vital platform for discussion and coordination between religious institutions at home and abroad.
The participation of the head of the Islamic Society and his accompanying delegation also demonstrated tangible support for the efforts of Albanian migrants to promote their religion and maintain cultural and social unity, it said.
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