The Position of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, on the Draft of the Law for Pre-university Education
11/1/2011
The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania examined carefully the draft of the law “for the Pre-University System of Education in the Republic of Albania” and in its response directed to the Ministry of Education expressed thoughts and concerns about the religious issues addressed in it.
The opinion expressed by the relevant bodies of the Church is that the Article 36, paragraph 4, on the prohibition of religious symbols for the school students, is a violation of the rights of thought, beliefs and of religious practices; all these rights are guaranteed to all citizens of Albania by the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, as well as by the international conventions and resolutions recognized and ratified by the Albanian state.
The right of faith and of religious beliefs and, therefore, the holding of religious symbols by students are in full compliance with these rights. And moreover, they cannot be considered an obstacle or threat to students and our schools, because the Albanian society is known for its multi-religious harmony and peaceful interfaith coexistence. Moreover, in Albania we do not have conflicts about religious symbols, so it is our opinion that their prohibition may create the opposite effect by violating tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
For these reasons, in its response directed to the Ministry of Education the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania suggested the removal of paragraph 4 of Article 36, on the prevention of the display of religious symbols.
Tiranё, 11 January 2011
The Press Office of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
