Albanian in Sweden


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Since 1990, the crime rate in Albania has soared. Albania's economy is very unstable. Strikes are frequent. The Albanian currency is worthless, and the rate of unemployment is extremely high.

Albania is considered one of the poorest countries in all of Europe. In this situation, many Albanians have fled to other countries like Sweden. The high crime rate in Albania has followed them to Sweden, where ethnic Swedes suspect that Albanians are criminals. Overcoming their negative stereotype has not been easy.

Most Albanians in Sweden came from Kosovo in the 1990s during the Balkan conflict.

Football (soccer) is important for Albanians. They play on many international teams including Sweden 's. One organization from the Swedish town of Borlange has a goal of working with the ethnic Albanian people in Sweden to help them integrate into Swedish society. The organization is democratic and non-religious. It has found an opportunity for this integration through soccer.


Where Are they Located?

The Albanians are probably located in the major cities and in the newer settlements in Sweden's cold north. The also probably live in or near Borlange and Borås.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Albanians in Sweden have produced authors, actors, musicians, research engineers, radio producers, and many fine athletes.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Apostle Paul obeyed Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19 by going to Illyricum (ancient Albania.) A small remnant of Christians remains. But centuries ago, many Albanians were converted to Islam by the Ottoman Turks. They practiced a type of folk Islam which embraced occult and practices such as praying to the dead, seeking cures for sickness, and praying for protection from spirits and curses.

In 1967, Albania declared itself as "the world's first atheistic state," closing its borders to any influence from the outside world. Since the fall of Communism in that part of the world, there have been efforts to take the gospel to the Albanians. Few, however, are aware of the spiritual needs of Albanians in Sweden.


What Are Their Needs?

The Gheg Albanians in Sweden need Christians to reach out to them with acceptance and love. Believers must exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit and win their trust so they can share their Best Friend with these Albanians.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Muslim influence would not win the hearts and minds of the Albanians.
Pray that Bibles will be effectively distributed to the Gheg Albanians in Sweden and have a strong spiritual impact on the people.
Pray for the effectiveness of the JESUS Film among Albanians.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Gheg Albanians in Sweden and in Albania.


Scripture Prayers for the Albanian in Sweden.


References

http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/gheg-albanians-in-sweden/
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11880/SW
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanians_in_Sweden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPptpGF-w4M
http://www.kosovodiaspora.org/football-helped-me-present-a-different-side-of-albanians-to-sweden/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Albanian
People Name in Country Albanian
Pronunciation al-BAY-nee-un
Alternate Names Chamurian; Gheg; Gheg Speaking; Kosovar; Scutari
Population this Country 5,300
Population all Countries 5,122,000
Total Countries 21
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 11880
ROP3 Code 103338
ROP25 Code 300207
ROP25 Name Albanian
Country Sweden
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Sweden
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Map of Albanian in Sweden
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
3.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
91.00 %
Non-Religious
6.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Albanian, Gheg
Language Code aln   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Albanian, Tosk
Primary Language Albanian, Gheg
Language Code aln   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Albanian, Tosk
People Groups Speaking Albanian, Gheg

Primary Language:  Albanian, Gheg

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1866-1978)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1869-1990)
Bible-Complete No
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Albanian, Gheg Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Albanian, Gheg YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Albanian, Gheg YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Albanian, Gheg Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group location: Sweden Statistics table. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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