Abstracts no. 22

Apr 13, 2018 Zani i Nalte English 0

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Studies

1.  Body’s attire – Soul’s attire 

Fatos Kopliku,  – Washington D.C., USA

It is difficult to imagine people and angels in paradise dressed with jeans or with suit and tie; there is something amiss, something not right between such clothes and paradise. On the other hand, it is quite natural when they are shown wearing traditional clothes, regardless of the civilization or race. In the Persian, Ottoman, or Indian miniatures of the Night’s Journey of the Prophet Muhammad, the prophets and the angels that he meets are all shown wearing traditional clothes, of course, quite diverse thanks to the genius of the artists and their ethnic origins, yet very much at home in the celestial spheres where they are depicted. Also, the Byzantine mosaics or paintings masterly illustrate scenes with Christ, the Virgin, or the prophets of the Old Testament, yet very naturally at home and not out of place with the theme and the background bet it on earth or heaven. Similar examples of traditional dress in congruence with the paradise, saints, or prophets, can be provided from Buddhism or Hinduism, or from religions that are no longer operative like those of the civilizations of Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, or Persia, but notably none from the modern dress. In this article we argue that the reasons behind this harmony are closely related to the role of man, how he sees himself, and how he dresses accordingly.

2. The scientific truth over the Islamophobic “truth”

Prof. dr. Fadil Maloku, Sociologist, Prishtina University, Kosovo

Lack of information or knowledge about each other that exists in today’s religious communities is not an advantage, rather, it is a barrier which has produced, is producing and will produce in the future negative consequences both in human lives and material goods, and also a frustration at continental and global range.  This is undoubtedly producing the other current phenomenon, of global dimension, known and identified as terrorism. “Terrorism has neither nation nor state or… religion! The world we are living in is regarded as a world of high level danger (Risikogesellschaft)!” (Ulrich Beck, Risk Society).

3. Ilo Mitko Qafëzezi and the First Partial Translation of the Qur’an in Albanian Language

Azmir Jusufi (PHDc), Prizren

The Qur’an is a fundamental basis of Islamic religion, culture and civilization, and as such, it is a fundamental factor that unites the Islamic world in all areas of life, so it is no coincidence that people from many nations were interested in translating it into their languages.

The Qur’an has so far been translated into over 100 different languages, and besides the Bible, the Qur’an is the most widely translated book in the world.

While in other European nations, the Qur’an was translated by Christians, most of whom were orientalists specialized in Oriental language and culture in general and the Arab one in particular, and furthermore, their translation of the Qur’an was undertaken for missionaries purposes and anti-Islamic agenda, Ilo Mitko Qafezezi translated the Qur’an only for offering it to his blood brothers, who belonged to the Islamic faith.

Education

4. The importance of religious education

Dr. Adil Kutlu, Department of Islamic Sciences, Bedër University

Education is an organization founded by humans in order to meet the needs of today and the future and it is also created to complement the development of society in addition to its continuity. Thus, religion also possesses a space of culture and knowledge that affects every person, regardless if he/she is a believer or not. Religion and education, which unite in the point of human education and formation in accordance with specific objectives, have many common aspects and it is impossible to think of religious education outside the framework of general education. In fact, even the actual discussions are not about whether religious education should be part of general education or not, but focus on “how much” and “how” to realize such a process.

Submission of this issue by addressing the subject in different dimensions such as the need for this space, its importance, theme and purpose, will be useful in respect to the religious education.

 

Sociology

5. The importance of interfaith dialogue for the interethnic relations in Macedonian society

Msc. Sadije Gafuri, Tetovo, Macedonia

Nowadays, we are facing with many problems which threaten the balance of the society. Many issues such as science, trade and human have become global. Therefore dialogue today is really indispensable.

One of the reasons of this situation comes because of the fact that people are not aware enough about their values especially religious values that is “Man is fearful of what he knows not”. Particularly, we have neglected many of these vital values such as: tolerance, mutual understanding, cooperative relations, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, which are very crucial to attain a remaining coexistence in society.

Therefore, in the first chapter we will make an attempt to explain the theological basis of tolerance and interfaith dialogue in Islam based on the religious scriptures. We also will try to explain the speculations about interfaith dialogue. In the second chapter we will analyze the coexistence in Macedonia and how did this process arise.

Lastly, we will try to mention the fact that despite the location of them coexistence is a characteristic of all the Albanians including here the diaspora as well and especially the Albanians of Macedonia. In addition to this fact there will be the result of a questionnaire which was applied to 350 people from Macedonia.

Philosophy

6. The philosophical views of Vexhi Demiraj (Philosophy of Religion and Islamic Philosophy)

Msc. Ana Gjeci, Switzerland

The research topic that is being developed speaks for the professor of theology and philosophy Vexhi Demiraj, his life, work and philosophical views. Since he has written extensively about philosophy, i decided to go further in his views on the philosophy of religion and Islam, given that these two philosophies are not very lively in Albania.

 

Personality

7. In the eve of two anniversaries 160th anniversary of birth and 100th anniversary of passing away (1847-1917)

Hoxha Voka of Tetova – theologian, teacher, pedagogue, thinker and a prominent Albanian patriot

Prof. Dr. Musa Kraja

We can mention here early imams, sheikhs, Jesuit priests, Catholic friars or other Orthodox priests who have made their name, have honored the people of their countries (without mentioning names), who have been among the most well-known figures in the field of education, including philosophy and other sciences, that were separated from it in certain stages of their development.

In the interpretations of Albanian Islamic education, there have been different opinions, created in various places and areas of Albanian territories, where there also had been detected anti-scientific attitudes. This because some pleiads of theologists within Albanian territories, who have served in different parts of the country and beyond – though they have worked with great spiritual devotion, due to their powerful patriotic feelings and religious beliefs – they have been regarded on this sacrifice and this great patriotic patronage. This ban was carried out through indifferent attitudes in most cases, as if they did not live and work for the Nation or, including them in the list of foreign non-Albanian contingents, while living in Albania, and even more harshly, considering them as anti-Albanian.

 

Retrospective

8. 95 years since the First Albanian Muslim Congress (February 24-March 12, 1923)

Ali M. Basha

The First Muslim Congress represents a very important event not only for the religious and social life of Albania, but also for the national political life of our entire nation. And yet, this Congress has been left in oblivion. Such kind of non-appreciation is explained only through the known attitude of the monist state towards all religions and their organisms.

Prejudices against the Albanian Islamic community, considered to be backwarded, and even towards the Islamic faith, merely regarded as a legacy of Ottoman-centuries-old rulership, hampered the appreciation of the historic significance of the 1923 Muslim Albanian Congress. These considerations did not allow people to pay due attention to the documents approved by it, known so far. Even a quick glimpse of them lets one see the profoundly national and progressive character of the decisions taken at this congress.

The First Muslim Albanian Congress represents a religious organization on the national basis of the predominant majority of the Albanian population. It is worth to note and be aware that such an organization is the first in the whole Islamic world. Because of the events that followed, (more precisely, after the victory of the Turkish National Revolution), it also represents a unique case throughout the history of Islam in modern times.

9. Foreword and Purpose – The First Hutba

Direction – General Mufti

Islamiyya Jamaaat that we are founding for the first time in our country is starting from this month to publish an edition of its periodical magazine, a publication which we have pledged to do since the promulgation of the Statute.

We, authors of this periodical, will have as objective to stop the impetus to this destruction and decadence that is being observed into the Albanian Muslim people, leading it towards the modern advancement and civilization.

No doubt, every Muslim will help us both materially and spiritually in this difficult path we are starting to follow. We hope every jamaaat will joy with this step and will give us a hand to successfully complete this task, which has as objective to exalt Islam and to elevate it to the once peak of glory for whose majesty the history witnesses.

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