Bujar Spahiu (born 26 February 1976) is an Albanian Muslim scholar who has been serving as the Grand Mufti of Albania since March 2019.[1] He is also the current chairman of the Sunni Muslim Community of Albania.[1] His predecessor was Skënder Bruçaj. Previously, he served as vice chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania.[2]
Bujar Spahiu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title | Grand Mufti |
| Personal | |
| Born | 26 February 1976 |
| Religion | Islam |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Signature | .svg){kind=small} |
| Muslim leader | |
| Period in office | 2019–present |
| Predecessor | Skënder Bruçaj |
| Post | Head of the Muslim Community of Albania |
Spahiu had been director of the Department of Education in the Muslim Community of Albania.[3]
Early life edit
Spahiu earned a degree in theology from Al-Azhar University in Egypt.[4]
Election edit
The election process for the new chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania was held on 2 March 2019. He was elected chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania. He received 26 votes against 2 votes over Mufti of Tirana Ylli Gurra. The election of Bujar Spahiu to head the KMSH was marred by controversy. Some Imams and other Muslim clerics like Ylli Gurra viewed it as illegal that contravened the rules of KMSH and regarded his elevation to the position as a coup by the Gülen movement which is based in the United States.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b Hatem, Mohammed. "President of World Council of Muslim Communities meets Grand Mufti of Albania". Emirates News. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Bujar Spahiu, Elected New Chairman of KMSH".
- ^ "Muslim Community – VICE- CHAIRMAN". Archived from the original on 2019-12-28. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
- ^ "ALBANIA 2019 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT" (PDF). United States Department of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-09-30. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ "Bujar Spahiu fiton zgjedhjet, Ylli Gurra: KMSH u kap nga Gylenistët (VIDEO)". Shqiptarja (in Albanian).