Population registration, “not on ethnic and religious grounds”

Mustafa Oscan, member of the Fatih University Directing Board said that religion is an intimate matter between God and the individual and it should remain as such.

“Everyone should respect the individual, his faith and opinion. I don’t know the specific details or the purposes hidden behind. Faith belongs to the individual and to no one else.  The question is that when there is no religion, it might look like there is the need for this, but it doesn’t help religion. Religion is driven by faith and faith is found only between God and the individual. I don’t know the hidden purposes of this matter, and I cannot say more.” Oscan declared.

Professor Paul Weller explains that this registration could create further problems after national minorities would feel that they should claim for more.  

“I’m not aware of the details on this matter, but we have had the same debate here, around 10 years ago. Whatever happens, they should be very careful so that people do not misunderstand the questions and that the information gets misused. Another danger is that the results could trigger competition between religious groups and this is the reason why other countries don’t add religion to the questionnaire. If this question is added, there should be a lot of caution to avoid any misusage of the information. Especially in Albania where there are mixed marriages between different religions. But life is sometimes more complicated than a simple response, and that’s why these questions should be very detailed.” Weller declared.

There are a lot of countries that haven’t registered their population on ethnic and religious grounds, respecting their citizens’ faith and avoiding any kind of misusage.

These declarations were held during an international symposium about religious, cultural and social diversity in the Balkans, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tirana University.

Culture Minister Ferdinand Xhaferraj estimated the religious harmony as Albania’s precious treasure.

“Religious harmony is not only unique, but a value that represents our nation. Albanians have always tried hard to save this distinctive feature that puts us nearer to the big European family.” Xhaferri declared.

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