Figure 1.-- |
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The area of modern Albania was part of the Roman Empire and thus after Constantine's conversion became largely Christian. The Ottoman Empire conquered much of the Balkans, including Albania (14th century). Over the 5 centuries of Ottoman rule, much of the population converted to Islam. Thus when Albania became independent after Woerld War I, it was the only predominant Muslim country in Europe. There are few precise statistics on Albanioan religious afoiliation. The figure often used to estimate the Muslim population is about 70 percent. One estimate suggess at the end of World war II, the Albnian population was about 1.2 million. This included abour 0.8 million Muslims, 0.2 mullion Orthodox Christians, and 0.1 million Catholic Christians. The Muslims were divided into two groups. The dominant sect was Sunni branch (0.6 million). There were also Bektashi, relate to Shia Islam (0.2 million). The Bektashi has veen described as a dervish order and is commonly ranked as tolerant Muslim sect. Some Muslims are ofended by the incorporation of pagan and Christian elements. Partisans established Communist state at the end of World War II (1944). Communist Albania like other Communist states coinducted an atheist campsaign. We do not yet have details on that campaign or the impact on religipus afiliation.
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