Summary

In the 19th century, widespread conversions to Islam among Albanians were driven by the systematic weakening of Catholic institutions. Ottoman authorities imposed obstacles such as requiring the Sultan’s approval for clergy appointments and enforcing the jizya tax, pressuring the population to convert. In contrast, Orthodox Christianity was protected through agreements with Russia and the Phanar, with Russian agents actively supporting Islamization of Albanian regions. Hundreds of Albanian churches were transferred to the Serbian Orthodox Church via Sultan firmans. Scholars like Malo Lulaj highlight Serbian and Russian influence in Albanian lands. After World War I, Belgrade continued controlling Islamic institutions, exemplified by the 1924 “King Alexander I” Madrasah in Skopje.

19th century cnversion to Islam among Albanians was due to the lack of Catholic clergy

The 19th century was characterized by conversions to Islam due to the lack of Catholic clergy, and this is an indisputable fact, the church of wood and rope was over, other strategies were being used. The appointment of Catholic clergy was approved only by a telegram from the Sultan himself, such obstacles were a strategy along with the jizya, etc. to force the population to convert.

The same did not happen with the Orthodox, who were fanatically protected by the Turkish Administration through agreements with Russia or with the Phanar in Istanbul. Russia strictly ensured that the Islamization of Albanians occurred completely and as quickly as possible, for this it sent hundreds of agents and missionaries to Albanian-speaking lands.

Hundreds of Albanian churches were given to the Serbian Church by Fermans from the Sultan himself. Malo Lulaj has an article specifically about the work of Serbian-Russian agents in Albanian lands:

“The great “King Alexander I” Madrasah in Skopje in 1924, its echo and impact on the assimilation of Albanians”, Belgrade officials, immediately after the end of World War I, brutally intervened in the internal organization of the Islamic Religious Community, appointing their emissaries to all its governing bodies. Just like today when they have placed a Serb, allegedly converted to Islam, at the head of the Islamic Community of Serbia”.

Names in the photo

Teachers’ Council of the Great Madrasah, 1936/37.

Seated from left to right: Dr. Vido Latković, Ivan Podgorni, Fuad Sli-

Pičević, Ahmed Mehmedbašić, Slavko Demetrović, Dr. Anica Rebac and

Sinisa Vojinovic; Standing: Taib Okic, Sima Chemerikic, Avdo Tankovic,

Mihailo Olenin, Prvoslav Buric, Nikola Kuzelj, Aleksandar Zaliev,

Borivoje Radosavljevic and Abdulah Mahmutagic