Albania’s Muslims call for peaceful electoral campaign

TIRANA, Albania – The Albanian Muslim Community on Saturday called on political parties to hold a peaceful election campaign that coincides with the holy month of Ramadan.

Albania holds its parliamentary election June 25, which also marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid-el-Fitr. The date was decided after intensive talks among the parties mediated by U.S. and European Union officials.

Ylli Gurra, a leader of the executive organ of the country’s Muslims, called on political parties and religious communities to be peaceful and respect each other.

Tirana’s grand mufti also called on believers to feel free to vote, calling it “a historical and civil duty of the moment.”

Religious communities play an important role in preserving harmony in Albania, where two-thirds of the population of 3 million is Muslim. The county also has Orthodox and Catholic communities.