Dear guests,

Honorable representatives of religious communities in Albania,

Honorable representatives of the diplomatic corps,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear friends,

The word “religion” comes from the Latin “religiare”, which means “harmony,” “unity”. It is a human feeling for something higher, more sublime, more holy. For the Creator.

In respect of such relationship, I have the honor to welcome you today to this Iftar, organized for the third consecutive year by the MFA, thus turning this sacred day into a genuine tradition.

In our country, celebrating the holy month of Ramadan is a tradition, together with the celebration of Christmas, Easter or the Day of Ashura. This shows something which our ancestors have nurtured for centuries; tolerance and interreligious brotherhood, always in the service of national identity.

This indisputable achievement of our forefathers should be encouraged and shared with others, as a unique example of a society living in inter-religious harmony.

Religion promotes integration and solidarity in a society, by supporting norms and values ​​in the service of social cohesion. For our society, which still suffers from the fragmentation of transition, the role of religious communities acquires a new dimension, particularly with regard to the education of young generations.

Tolerance, compassion, forbearance and respect towards others – values which are promoted through faith in God – are not fashion trends, but core values ​​of a democratic society. The Holy Month of Ramadan is an opportunity to embody these values ​​through an inner spiritual journey.

Nowadays, the world is experiencing what Pope Francis defined as “the globalization of indifference”. The multifaceted global crises need to be addressed by taking into account precisely these inalienable values.

Albania may not be a materially rich country, but our spiritual bounty, conveyed through a mosaic of religions, can and must be an added value to societies of EU countries, where we aspire to become members.

Inter-religious harmony and the way how different religious communities have lived and live alongside each other is like a leitmotiv that permeates the history of Albanian people and the Albanian state. Christians and Muslims were those who raised the flag in Vlora and laid the foundations of the Albanian state; those who defended the Albanian language, customs and traditions; those who by their example, continue to inspire today’s generations.

The element of harmony is one of the most important in creating a culture of positive peace, which means: peace and justice for all.

We as Albanians have had a peculiar relationship with justice. We are still in search of it. Even the sigh of Migjeni 80 years ago, “A sparkle of light, my friend, my brother. Please, a sparkle of light on this night when the soul suffers “- still sounds relevant.

Hence, the titanic effort to restore justice to the pillars of society is an attempt to lay the foundations for the right future of Albania and our children.

 

Dear friends,

Avicenna, the distinguished medieval philosopher, stated that the width of life is more important than length of life. I hope that the month of Ramadan has brought some “width” in your lives.

While thanking you for your presence, I wish you all a happy Holy Month of Ramadan!

Thank you!