Albania is a country that has just came out of the darkness of communism and whose people are struggling to find right way among wide opportunities.

To understand this country and its people better, a brief vista on the location and historical background is needed. Albania is located in the peninsula of the Balkans and is bordered by ex-Yugoslavia (Monte Negro, Serbia, Kosova and Macedonia) in the North and Northeast, by Greece in the Southeast and the South, and by Adriatic Sea in the West. The yon seas separate Albania from Italy.

The Albanians are one of the oldest people in Europe. The footprints of civilization are seen thousand of years ago when the ancestors of the Albanians called Illyrians lived in a wide area and traded with many areas of the Mediterranean. Linguists today find many words in the language of the people of Mediterranean that were meaningful in Illyrian. After hundreds of years of fighting, the Illyrian Kingdom fell to the Roman Empire. From that time until the end of the Byzantine period, the country remained under lengthy occupation. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire the country got divided into small kingdoms resulting in the occupation of the border parts by neighboring countries but only for short periods.

Islam appeared in Albania in the beginning of the 13^th century A.D. and was seen by the local population as a support against the assimilation of their nation by the enemies. Because of the strategically position as the main and shortest road to Western Europe from Asia and East Europe, Albania was taken over by the Ottoman Khalifate in 14^th century with Albanians coast being only a day’s sailing distance from the coast of Italy. The coming of the Ottomans signaled the beginning of the Islamic Era in Albania. Islam was embraced by large percentage of the population. During this period, Albania was a strong and advance post of Islam and developed good links with Bosnia, Sanjak and Macedonia. It was known for its great scholars and rich culture through out as the Ottoman Khalifate and Europe during this period.

With the fall of the Ottoman Khalifate, Albania found itself alone at the mercy of Great European Powers of that time. The Albanian people fought hard for their independence but, despite that, large parts of the country had to be given to Serbia, Monte Negro and Greece, as the result of pressure by the Great Powers. In 1912, Albania gained its independence but this lasted only until 1939, when Fascist Italy occupied it. After the Second World War, the Communists took over the country for 46 years and tried to destroy its traditions and culture of Islam. The tyrannical regime suppressed the people in every aspect of life. In 1990, after a hard struggle, the country finally saw the light of freedom and people once again started to hear the voice of Islam openly calling them to the house of Allah.

The present situation of Albania can be considered uncertain. The economy was left paralyzed by the communists like most of the East European countries, the last two years were years of reformation and with the work of democratic government and the help of the International Community some success has been achieved and the expert are optimistic. Many countries are giving foreign aid and credit; among them are Islamic countries as well, but this help was concentrated on humanitarian aid and very little gone for the improvement of the economy. New investments are being offered from different sources and the government is moving carefully so as not to repeat the mistakes of the others and make the country

dependent on the Western creditors. Investments and credits from the Islamic countries are welcome mainly because 75% of the population is Muslim and is naturally looking for more Muslim allies. The Muslim help has been very little as compared to the Western countries, but now more things are improving.

The Muslim aid is needed to balance the pressure from the other religion especially Christianity, which are working from within and without to increase their influence in Albania. The lack of help by Islamic Countries in the moment of need, will bring serious complications in the new journey of Albania towards the Islamic World, especially now, when Muslims in the Balkans are being attacked from all ides by various enemies.

In its foreign policy, Albania is an open country to anyone and even in this bad condition of its, is supporting the struggle of Muslims in Bosnia, Sanjak and the Albanian Muslims who have been suffering in Kosova and Macedonia for a long time under Serbian occupation. The help from the old ally, Turkey, has been a ray of hope in this time of darkness when Greece is showing intentions of territorial gains, profiting from the tension and the bad economic condition of Albania after the transition. The Orthodox Church of Greece is having big propaganda with open chauvinistic intentions. Relations with Macedonia are developing, but there still exits some friction about the bad treatment of Albanian Muslims who comprise 40% of the Macedonian population.

The organization of Albania as an Islamic State in the future will have a strong impact in the Balkans and Europe. Its rule as a batistone of Islam in Europe will increase and without doubts will be more efficient. Together with Bosnia and Turkey, Albania will be able to balance the presence of the two old enemies of Islam in the Balkans – Serbia and Greece.

Even-though, the situation is still not favorable, the people are now becoming more conscious day by day about their belonging to Islam. A new generation is coming up in Albania and due to the efforts made nowadays, this generation will grow up with the teaching of the Holy Qur’an in mind and the faith in ALLAH (s.w.t) in the heart, INSHA’ALLAH. The flower which is sprouting from the grave of communism will, INSHA’ALLAH, be brightened by Islam, and the country will walk on the path of ALLAH (s.w.t) in according with the teachings of our prophet (s.a.w.s.) and achive the purpose for which it wascreated.