The Grand Mufti of the Republic of Albania and Head of the Islamic Community, Sheikh Bujar Spahiu, praised the pivotal and leading role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in serving the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah. He commended the Kingdom's significant efforts to spread the values of peace, moderation, and centrism throughout the world, emphasizing that these endeavors reflect the Kingdom's enduring role as the heart of the Islamic world.
This praise came in a press statement issued by His Eminence following his attendance at the closing ceremony of the "National Competition for Memorization and Recitation of the Holy Quran" in Albania. This distinguished competition was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the Religious Attaché at the Kingdom's Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in close cooperation with the Islamic Community of Albania, reflecting the deep fraternal relations between the two countries.
Historical background of the Kingdom's efforts
These initiatives are not spontaneous; rather, they are an extension of a long and continuous legacy of Saudi Arabia's contributions to serving Islam and Muslims. Since its founding, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given exceptional attention to printing and distributing the Holy Quran, establishing Islamic centers, and supporting Muslim minorities around the world. The King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran in Medina stands as a prime example of this, printing millions of copies of the Quran and translating its meanings into dozens of languages to reach Muslims everywhere.
The importance of the competition and its expected impact
This Quranic competition is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally in Albania, it helps connect Muslim youth with the Holy Quran, encouraging them to memorize and reflect upon its meanings, thus strengthening their Islamic identity and protecting them from extremist ideologies. The Grand Mufti of Albania expressed his deep gratitude to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs for organizing this blessed event, noting that it "represents a model of fruitful cooperation between religious institutions.".
At the regional and international levels, these efforts reinforce the image of Islam as a religion of tolerance and coexistence. In the Balkans, a region characterized by its religious and ethnic diversity, such initiatives play a vital role in disseminating the message of moderation and countering hate speech. They also highlight the Kingdom's diplomatic and cultural role as a force for global stability and peace, a point emphasized by the Grand Mufti in concluding his statement, where he noted the Kingdom's leadership's keen interest in supporting initiatives that promote tolerance, coexistence, and peace among peoples.
