Religious Practice

Albanians follow a wide range of religious traditions. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all live in harmony with one another. The country's constitution guarantees religious freedom without any restrictions that might prevent someone from practicing their religion. The nation advocates for religious tolerance. Judaism is the oldest of the three, having been introduced to Albanians around 1 BC.

Christianity comes in second place, with records going all the way back to the time of the Apostles. While preaching the gospel in Illyria, it is thought that the apostle Paul founded the Durres Archbishopric. When Arab raiders from the Adriatic Sea invaded Albania in the ninth century, Islam was introduced to the country. Islam became Albania's predominant religion during the Ottoman Empire's rule, and it continues to have the majority of adherents today.

Following the 1967 Cultural Revolution, religious practice was widely suppressed, thus even though 70% of the population is Muslim, the majority do not practice; the same is true of the remaining 20% of Christians. The Albanian people are known for their warm hospitality. Elderly males expect to be treated with respect because of their age, more so than in the rest of the Balkans. In particular, respect must be shown to men in the family. Don't fight with them about issues like politics and religion; simply shake hands with them.