Abstract
The deep economic crisis and political tensions over the last two decades of the twentieth century and especially the developments of the war of 1998–1999, have contributed to the creation of feelings of social insecurity in all strata of Kosovo society. These circumstances, also characterized by the failure of the state apparatus, the high rate of corruption, the degradation of the public health system, and the destruction of the public education system, have all enabled the unhindered activity of foreign extremist organizations in Kosovo. During this time, all Balkan countries were captured by similar social, economic and political crises and conflicts. These circumstances were sufficient for a foreign extremist organization, deployed in Bosnia, Albania or Macedonia, and through the ethnic ties and the common Islamic tradition that prevails in this compacted geographic region, to expand its destructive activity in other parts of the Western Balkans.
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- 1.
See: Guilain Denoeux & Lynn Carter (October 2009): “Development Assistance and Counter-Extremism: A Guide to Programming,” CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, North Charleston: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnadt977.pdf.
- 2.
Some famous preachers of Salafi ideologies in Kosovo were convicted in court after having committed crimes or at least suspected of criminal activity. Others had led a modern life-style or were well-known among the circles in which they moved for their numerous love affairs. One of them had even worked as a musician in a Serbian café where alcohol and pork were consumed. After they had been in touch with religious preachers, who had provided them with options to improve their social standing, they were integrated in the different radical movements and in turn, they became ardent preachers of Salafi ideologies after they had attended certain religious courses. These remarks are based on scholarly observations and information from students.
- 3.
See: Miranda Vickers (2008): “Islam in Albania,” Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, England, ARAG, Retrieved from: https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/55215/2008_March_IslamAlb.pdf.
- 4.
Scholarly observation of a radical sermon in Kosovo.
- 5.
BIK mohon, deklarata ku bëhet thirrje për xhihad nuk është e Myftiut: http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/bik-mohon-deklarata-ku-behet-thirrje-per-xhihad-nuk-eshte-e-myftiut-145114/?archive=1 (16 November 2015).
- 6.
Statusi i tokës së bekuar në Islam: http://ardhmeriaonline.com/artikull/article/statusi-i-tokes-se-bekuar-palestines-ne-islam/#.VrGy-9LhDGg, (26 November 2016).
- 7.
Statusi i tokës së bekuar në Islam, cited. See: Shenjat e kijametit: https://www.rrugetepaqes.net/besim/shenjat-e-medha-te-kiametit-2/, (16 August 2014).
- 8.
A ka mundur realisht të bëjë Kosova më shumë në parandlimin e ekstremizmit të dhunshëm dhe radkilalizmit që shpie në tërrorizëm?: http://www.askk-ks.com/a-ka-mundur-realisht-te-beje-kosova-me-shume-ne-parandlimin-e-ekstremizmit-te-dhunshem-dhe-radkilalizmit-qe-shpie-ne-terrorizem-2/ (18 August 2014).
- 9.
Beteja në Bedër: http://www.zeriislam.com/artikulli.php?id=681 (29 August 2009).
- 10.
For further information, see: Imami shqiptar: Në xhenet ju presin femra me gjinj të dalluar: http://www.insajderi.com/imami-shqiptar-ne-xhenet-ju-presin-femra-gjinj-te-dalluar-video/ (25 August 2017); Abdyl FUGA, Hyritë e Xhenetit (“Gateways to Paradise”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB9sYvnKYRo (6 June 2015). Some other preachers also turn out advice on health conditions based on Mohamed’s directive to “drink the urine of camels” to “regain one’s health.” (Urina e Deves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7an-lriiLs). Others suggest that cousins marry, which is at odds with the moral values and the tradition of the Albanian people (http://www.drilongashi.com/mektebi/munakehat/1040-martesa-me-vajzen-e-xhaxhait-halles-dajes-dhe-tezes.html; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BpQzAcC1a0).
Based on the life of Mohamed and the Sharia, all these propagandists advocate polygamy. They say that Mohamed married Khadija when he was 25 years old. She was 40 years old at the time and had been married twice before. After that, he married Sawda, who had also been married twice before and who was considerably older as well. Then, he married Aisha bint Abu Bakr, who was only 6–7 or 10 years old, and after that, he married his niece Zeynab and a woman of 60 years of age, who was also named Zeynab, and Hafsa, a widow, Umm Salama Hind al-Makhzumiyah, who was also a widow, Ramla, Juwairiya, who was another widow, Safia, who was a widow too, and Maymuna. For further information, see: https://vizionidibranislam.jimdo.com/shkrime-islame/kujtim-mirzo/gratë-e-muhamedit-a-s/.
- 11.
For further information, see “A janë vehabistët shqiptarë kamikazët e ardhshëm?”: http://www.gazetaexpress.com/shkurt-e-shqip/a-jane-vehabistet-shqiptare-kamikazet-e-ardhshem-102204/?archive=1 (20 May 2015).
- 12.
The Islamic Declaration (Bosnian: Islamska deklaracija): http://www.angelfire.com/dc/mbooks/Alija-Izetbegovic-Islamic-Declaration-1990-Azam-dot-com.pdf.
- 13.
Libri I Tevhidit: http://www.islamicbook.ws/albanian/albanian-01.pdf.
- 14.
Julia Gorin: “Here We Go Again: Albanian Mafia in NY: 37 Arrested”: http://www.juliagorin.com/wordpress/index.php?s=skender&paged=2 (13 July 2013).
- 15.
Xhavit Shala: Miliona dollarë për të marrë Komunitetin Mysliman, Gazeta Shqiptare, 16 January 2008.
- 16.
Information from a Muslim theologist.
- 17.
Kosova Mbyll Sytë Para Xhamive Ilegale: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosova-mbyll-syte-para-xhamive-ilegale (12 January 2012).
- 18.
Rrënjët dhe roli i Vehabizmit: http://www.zeriislam.com/artikulli.php?id=1966 (25 July 2011).
- 19.
Thirrja për në rrugë të Allahut: http://udhaebesimtareve.com/thirrja-per-ne-rruge-te-allahut/ (12 May 2010).
- 20.
Kosovar Salafis are also opposed to Kosovar families traditionally decorating trees and to the traditional decoration of Kosovar towns and cities for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, as they refer to these holidays as “haram” (prohibited) and as festivities of “infidels” (Christians) that Muslims are supposedly not allowed to celebrate. For further information, see “Cilat Janë ‘Festat E Fundvitit?’”: http://www.zeriislam.com/artikulli.php?id=3013. See: Xhafer Shejh Idris, “Kujt i thonë këta Vehabi?!”: https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/sq/ih_articles/single/sq_Kujt_i_thone_keta_Vehabi.pdf.
- 21.
Gerti Pashja, i kërkuari nga drejtësia shqiptare: Dua shtet sherihati,s’jam terrorist: http://www.oranews.tv/article/gerti-pashaj-nje-nga-muslimanet-ne-kerkim-per-terrorizem-nga-turqia-jam-i-pafajshem (27 March 2014).
- 22.
Rrapo Zguri (2016): Analizë e diskursit ekstremist fetar në media, Instituti Shqiptar i Medias, Tiranë, pp. 47. See: Feja apo kombi. Si e shqyrton Feja Islame këtë çështje?: http://www.albislam.com/feja-apo-kombi-si-e-shqyrton-feja-islame-kete-ceshtje/ (14 September 2014).
- 23.
Intervistë me Amir Ahmetin: Ferid Agani e ka degraduar Ministrinë dhe Partinë, Skënderbeu kishte masakruar shqiptarë muslimanë: http://www.gazetaexpress.com/intervista/interviste-me-amir-ahmetin-ferid-agani-e-ka-degraduar-ministrine-dhe-partine-skenderbeu-kishte-masakruar-shqiptare-muslimane-2163/?archive=1 (8 March 2014).
- 24.
Albanian Muslims claiming to be faced with “secular extremism”: http://www.e-zani.com/2015/12/14/myslimanet-shqiptare-perballe-ekstremizmit-laik/ (14 December 2015).
- 25.
Gjendet i përdhosur busti i Skënderbeut: http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2014/02/19/foto-lajmgjendet-i-perdhosur-busti-i-skenderbeut-eshte-gjysme-cjap-gjysme-njeri-madje-ka-bisht/ (19 February 2014). See: Pse e lëmë Gonxhen e përjetshme të shqiptarëve “në harresë”?!: http://www.balkanweb.com/site/pse-e-leme-gonxhen-e-perjetshme-te-shqiptareve-ne-harrese/ (19 December 2015).
- 26.
Instituti Shqiptar i Medias (2016): “Analizë e fjalorit ekstremist fetar në media,” Tiranë, pp. 51–54. See: Muhamed Sytari: “Islami në trojet shqiptare ka mbërritur kohë përpara osmanëve,” Gazeta Mapo (15 August 2015).
- 27.
Hoxha nga Prizreni mbron historinë serbe: Në Kosovë s’ka pasur shqiptarë – ata i solli Turqia: http://www.tetovasot.com/2015/04/hoxhe-irfan-salihu-nekosove-ska-pasur-shqiptare-ata-i-solli-turqia-video/ (1 April 2015).
- 28.
Is a Muslim believer allowed to study law?: https://kohaislame.com/a-lejohet-studimi-i-drejtimit-te-juridikut/ (4 May 2017).
- 29.
Përse vendet arabe nuk e njohin pavarësinë e Kosovës?: https://www.shqiperia.com/shqip/opinionart/aID/307/Perse-vendet-arabe-nuk-e-njohin-pavaresine-e-Kosoves (16 September 2008).
- 30.
Bashkimi është mëshirë: http://ardhmeriaonline.com/artikull/article/bashkimi-eshte-meshire/#.WbTlUchJbcs (11 November 2014).
- 31.
After I had identified this strategy, I once requested a competent official of the international administration to ask some practicing Muslims working for international institutions how they felt about the Catholics in Kosovo. Some of their answers suggested that they were likely in touch with the Islamist scene for it was said that “Catholics were bad and dirty and had criminal tendencies and would abduct and kidnap children on the streets and sell them on international markets,” etc. Likewise, some clerics call for hatred of the Catholic community.
- 32.
The litigation with the bishop of Kosovo, which was not based on justice, was perceived by public opinion as a biased trial against the backdrop of religion. Investigations against some Catholics, which were solely made because of biased fictitious claims or anonymous letters (as in the “Medikus” case, the “University of Peja” case, and the “Lila” case), were likewise perceived by public opinion as legal proceedings caused merely by envy and jealousy on account of religion and professional position.
- 33.
Pjetër Coli: “Mbi 50% të katolikëve janë shpërngulur nga Kosova”: http://www.shqiptari.eu/mbi-50-te-katolikeve-jane-shperngulur-nga-kosova/ (4 February 2016).
- 34.
Zef Komani: Diskriminimi i komunitetit katolik në Kosovë: http://zeri.info/zerat/136870/diskriminimi-i-komunitetit-katolik-ne-kosove-me-apo-pa-vetedije/ (30 March 2017)
- 35.
Djali i Naim Tërnaves, i gatshëm të vdes për Sirinë: https://telegrafi.com/djali-i-naim-ternaves-i-gatshem-te-vdes-per-sirine-fotovideo/ (29 August 2013).
- 36.
“TV Peace” has been transmitted in Albanian by the “Center of Islamic Studies” in Pristina since 2009. According to some sources, this center has never properly declared who their sponsors were, but they only represented that they were funded by Zakir Naik who is prohibited from traveling to Great Britain, Canada, and many other democracies and from staying there: http://www.qsi-ks.com/webi/peacetv.php. See: ‘Peace TV’ me prapavijë të dyshimtë: http://zeri.info/aktuale/73331/peace-tv-me-prapavije-te-dyshimte-foto/ (24 January 2016).
- 37.
Radio ansar apo zërat që nxisin terrorin: http://www.insajderi.com/radio-ansar-apo-zerat-qe-terrorit/ (27 July 2016).
- 38.
Bota Muslimane duhet të shkojë drejt krijimit të qytetërimit të ri Islamik: http://www.mediaelire.net/lajm/4018/bota-muslimane-duhet-te-shkoje-drejt-krijimit-te-qyteterimit-te-ri-islamik/ (30 December 2015). See: Rezonanca e islamit dhe rilindja e ditëve të “pushtimit” kulturor: http://www.rtvbesa.com/rezonanca-e-islamit-dhe-rilindja-e-diteve-te-pushtimit-kulturor/ (14 November 2015).
- 39.
It even came to pass that some prosecutors in Kosovo issued their instructions to defendants based on religious guidelines instead of applicable legal standards. Besides, some judges and police officers close the court or the police station, etc., on Friday and go to the mosque to pray, etc.
- 40.
Maqedoni, vehabistëve 100 euro për mjekër e 200 euro për pantallona të shkurt, cited.
- 41.
A ka vehabizëm në Kosovë?: http://www.dw.com/sq/a-ka-vehabizem-ne-kosove/a-5649725 (4 June 2010).
- 42.
Miranda Vickers (2008): Islam in Albania, cited.
- 43.
See: Roland Bardezko (2015): Punim Diplome, Kolegji Fama, Fakulteti Juridik, Mitrovicë.
- 44.
The exchange of Albanian names for typical Muslim or Arabian ones developed into a mass phenomenon in Kosovo and Macedonia. For further information, see: Xhihadistët e Drenicës, nxënës të Dukës: http://lajmi.net/xhihadistet-e-drenices-nxenes-te-dukes/ (18 April 2014).
- 45.
3000 familje shqiptare në Maqedoni vendosin emra arab: http://zeri.info/aktuale/15534/3000-familje-shqiptare-ne-maqedoni-vendosin-emra-arab/ (17 January 2015).
- 46.
According to official estimations from countries in the Western Balkans, approximately 1000 volunteers were recruited to fight on different frontlines in Syria and Iraq. A total of 314 volunteers only from Kosovo went to war and joined different terrorist organizations, such as the IS, the Front Al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham, etc., according to official data. But some researchers estimate that approximately 1.000 volunteers from Kosovo alone went to fight in the wars in Syria and Iraq. Be that as it may, there have been five times as many volunteers from Kosovo on different frontlines in Syria and in Iraq than from all other European countries. Thus, Kosovo is among the states from which most of the volunteers for jihad hail. For further information, see: Foreign Fighters: An Updated Assessment of the Flow of Foreign Fighters into Syria and Iraq (The Soufan Group, December 2015): https://wb-iisg.com/wp-content/uploads/bp-attachments/4826/TSG_ForeignFightersUpflow.pdf.
- 47.
Bushati: Në Shqipëri janë ushtruar njerëz për luftën në Siri: https://telegrafi.com/bushati-ne-shqiperi-jane-ushtruar-njerez-per-luften-ne-siri/ (2 September 2014).
- 48.
Mektić: Kod Omeragića pronađena literatura o ISIL-u i bombe: http://prvi.tv/vijesti/bih/mektic-kod-omeragica-pronadena-literatura-o-isilu-i-bombe/46699 (19 November 2015).
- 49.
The Balkans ISIS Training Grounds: http://acdemocracy.org/the-balkans-isis-training-grounds/ (16 September 2016).
- 50.
A janë vehabitë kancer i fesë Islame: http://www.psesepse.com/portali/sektet/1839-a-jane-vehabite-kanceri-i-fese-islame.html (27 April 2008).
- 51.
Inteligjenca ndërkombëtare: Wahabistët e Pejës merreshin me haraç e drogë – kishin edhe kampe rekrutimi: http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/intelegjenca-nderkombetare-wahabistet-e-pejes-merreshin-me-harac-e-drogekishin-edhe-kampe-rekrutimi-46263/?archive=1 (30 September 2014).
- 52.
Agjencia ruse e lajmeve: Në Kosovë ekzistojnë të paktën pesë kampe të ISIS-it: http://klankosova.tv/agjencia-ruse-e-lajmeve-ne-kosove-ekzistojne-te-pakten-pese-kampe-te-isis-it/ (25 July 2016).
- 53.
Televizioni italian, reportazh nga Kosova: “Në kampin e rekrutimit të ISIS-it”: https://telegrafi.com/televizioni-italian-reportazh-nga-kosova-ne-kampin-e-rekrutimit-te-isis-video/ (26 October 2016).
- 54.
See: Balkan Jihadists: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/file/show/Balkan-Jihadists.pdf.
- 55.
I rekrutuari në bazën e stërvitjes në Shqipëri zbuloi celulën e ISIS: http://shqiptarja.com/aktualitet/2731/i-rekrutuari-ne-bazen-e-stervitjes-ne-shqiperi-zbuloi-celule-e-isis-281092.html (25 March 2015).
- 56.
Europol Public Information (18 January 2016): See “Changes in modus operandi of Islamic State terrorist attacks,” Europe (The Hague), pp. 6.
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Krasniqi, K. (2019). The Impact of Psychosocial Factors in the Preparation for Islamic Radicalism in Kosovo. In: Islamist Extremism in Kosovo and the Countries of the Region. SpringerBriefs in Criminology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18569-5_5
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