The Forum for Intercultural Dialogue (FIDeV), based in Frankfurt, Germany, which has been organizing international and intercultural trips around the world since 2003, in cooperation with the Interreligious Council of Albania and several other partner institutions, organized a study visit to Albania from April 17 to 24, 2025.
The aim of this visit was to deepen participants’ understanding of Albania’s unique model of interfaith coexistence and to strengthen intercultural ties through a rich program that included visits to historical cities, religious institutions, as well as cultural and academic centers.
During visits to religious communities and academic institutions, participants were welcomed by the Head of the Muslim Community of Albania, H. Bujar Spahiu; the Archbishop of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, His Beatitude Anastasios; the Archbishop of Shkodër, Mons. Giovanni Peragine; the World Leader of the Bektashi Community, H. Dede Edmond Brahimaj; the Rector of Bedër University, Prof. Dr. Gjergji Sinani; the Rector of Epoka University, Prof. Ahmet Oztas; and others. The German delegation was accompanied throughout the study visit by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Genti Kruja, Secretary General of the Interreligious Council of Albania and President of Religions for Peace Europe.
Throughout the journey, participants visited the cities of Tirana, Shkodër, Berat, Kruja, and Durrës, where they held meetings with representatives of religious communities and civil society. The visits included the Muslim Community of Albania, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shkodër, the World Bektashi Headquarters, Bedër University, various places of worship such as the Et'hem Bey Mosque, Catholic Cathedrals in Tirana and Shkodër, the Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana, the Tirana Madrasa, Epoka University, the “Marubi” National Museum of Photography, Bunk’Art 1, and numerous cultural monuments of historical significance in various cities across Albania.
This initiative represents a concrete effort to promote interfaith dialogue, academic cooperation, and cultural understanding, placing Albania in the international spotlight as a unique model of religious harmony and hospitality.
The trip included well-known figures in the field of interfaith dialogue, representatives of religious organizations, academics, and activists from Germany and beyond, including participants from the Forum for Intercultural Dialogue (FIDeV), the Department for Interreligious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Munich, and the Abrahamic Forum in Germany.
