Albanian, general in Canada

People Name:	Albanian, general
Country:	Canada
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	24,000
World Population:	631,500
Primary Language:	Albanian, Tosk
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	48.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.30 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Albanian
Affinity Bloc:	Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Have you heard of the small eastern European nation of Albania? It is about the size of the US state of New Hampshire. For nearly five centuries the territory we now know as Albania was part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. In 1912 Albania became an independent country.
The forty years following WWII were particularly difficult for Albania as it was under the control of the communist dictator Enver Hoxha. He proclaimed Albania as the world's first atheistic state and severely persecuting both Muslims and Christians.
Finally in 1992 the communist party was defeated in the elections and democratic forces took over the government. In the past 30 years the Albanian economy has steadily grown and Albania is no longer the poorest nation in Europe.
About half of the world's Albanians live in Albania. Others live in Kosovo, Greece, Germany, the USA, Turkey, the UK, the US, and Canada.
The first Albanians to migrate to Canada did so in the early 1900s. A small number joined them soon after WWII. Others came in the 1990s when their part of Europe was involved in war.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Albanians in Canada have their own business and social organizations. They often work in the food industry.
Some Albanians identify with their ethnic group, but the younger generation is becoming more acculturated to Canadian ways.

What Are Their Beliefs?

As was mentioned earlier, Hoxha tried to stamp out religion in Albania. Before the Ottoman conquest, the majority of Albanian professed to be Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Christians. In the 17th and 18th centuries the majority of Albanians converted to Islam to avoid heavy taxes. Currently, over half of the population of Albania claims to be Muslims. Christians, mostly Eastern Orthodox, makeup about one third of Albanian peoples.
Arabs states have provided money to build mosques in Albania and to educate the Albanian Muslims in the faith.

What Are Their Needs?

All Albanians need to hear and respond to the good news about Jesus Christ. They need to understand that they can have a personal relationship with God through Christ. The Christians in Albania need priests and pastors who will teach them the Word of God and show them how to live out the gospel.

Prayer Points

Pray that Albanian Muslims will tune into gospel radio broadcasts.
Pray for Albanians to read and heed the New Testament.
Pray for a Christ-centered revival in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Albanian churches in Albania.
Ask the Lord to send Holy Spirit anointed disciple makers to Albania.
Pray that all the Albanian people all over the world would have the opportunity to hear the good news.
Pray that Christians and churches in nations where the Albanians live will reach out and build redemptive relationships with them.