The Mufti of Kosovo, Naim Tërnava, expressed shock over the recent burning of the Quran in Çabrat, Gjakova, describing the act as vandalism, criminal, and “commissioned.”
Tërnava stated that the act strikes at the principles, tradition, and identity of the people of Kosovo.
“Such an act is completely unacceptable, as it gravely undermines the universal human values of global civilization and, at the same time, directly attacks the principles, tradition, and identity of our people.
For centuries, the Albanian people have been recognized and identified for harmony, coexistence, and interfaith understanding, as well as for respecting the faith, culture, and traditions of others, especially on sensitive matters related to religion and belief.
Unfortunately, these values and principles have recently come under attack from dark movements that, in the name of a distorted notion of ‘Albanianism’ and the so-called ‘return to roots,’ promote hatred, division, and violence.”
According to him, these incidents are the result of propaganda and hate speech.
“Certain individuals and organized groups, by manipulating, slandering, and instrumentalizing public opinion, are spreading hate speech and issuing open calls for violence against Albanians of Muslim faith, as well as targeting the destruction of Islamic heritage and culture.
This dangerous propaganda, in some cases even shocking, has been supported by individuals who are considered and paid as university professors, taking as examples dark models of Greek and Serbian genocide against Muslim Albanians.
We view the burning and desecration of the Quran in Gjakova as a concrete and alarming act, a direct consequence of these anti-Albanian and anti-Islamic ideologies, which aim to implement malevolent projects following foreign models historically hostile to Muslim Albanians.”
Tërnava called on competent authorities to take necessary action against those involved in the incident.
“We call on state authorities to immediately take the necessary legal actions against the perpetrators of this criminal act, as well as against the instigators, mentors, and ideologues of this dangerous ideology, who operate under the guise of false slogans such as ‘freedom of speech,’ ‘freedom of religion,’ and a distorted notion of Albanianism according to their interests.”
