The State Department, Religious Freedom Report: The Albanian Census, does not reflect the number of Greek Orthodox

May 20 2013 

 

The U.S. State Department has published its annual report on religious freedoms in the world.
In part to Albania, quotes census data in 2011.

"According to the census of 2011, the population consists of 2.8 million inhabitants. It is difficult to assess the extent of religious groups because nearly 20 percent of respondents refused to answer questions on the registration optional religious affiliation. A number of religious leaders challenged the census results. According to the census, Sunni Muslims make up about 57 percent of the population, 10 percent Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christians (Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania) about 7 percent, and Bektashi (a form of Shi'a Sufism) 2 percent. Other groups include Baha'is, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Seventh Day (Mormons). State Committee on Cults reports over 230 groups, organizations, foundations, and religious institutions to perform their activities in the country, " the report said.

Then note that particular part of the Greek minority boycotted the census, which will mean that the census data does not reflect reality.

"A number of religious leaders challenged the results of the census of 2011, claiming that the registration officials had not ever visited a number of their believers. Also, confusion of the consequences of self-identifying ethnic and religious could have done that many respondents do not identify their religious affiliation. For example, the Greek ethnic minority groups encouraged their members to boycott the census, which affect the measurement of the ethnic Greek minority and the Greek Orthodox Church, " the report continues.

The U.S. State Department says there were reports of abuses of religious freedom.

While concern remains the property of religious communities.
"The government continued to address claims by religious groups on the return or restitution of property confiscated during the communist era, however, many remained unresolved property claims. After reaching bilateral agreements in 2008 between the government and Muslim communities, Orthodox, and Bektashi, the government instructed the State Agency for Property Restitution and Compensation to give priority to properties owned by religious groups. However, administrative and legal challenges associated with property claims generally make difficult the return of property to individuals and organizations, including religious groups, and progress was slow. For example, administrative procedures stalled Bektashi community continued to hamper the recovery of Ksamili properties, properties that a court had back in 2009 " .