On 18 November 2025, the meeting of the Presidency Board of the Interreligious Council of Albania (IRCA) was held. The meeting was opened and chaired by the President of IRCA, Mons. Gjergj Meta, who in his welcoming remarks paid tribute to the late Archbishop Anastas, one of the founding fathers of IRCA in 2007.
He then welcomed the new members of the Presidency Board: the newly appointed Archbishop, His Beatitude Joan, Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, and Pastor Erion Sylari, the new head of the Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania. He also thanked Pastor Ergest Biti, former head of VUSH and member of the Presidency Board until the previous meeting.
Following this, the Secretary General of the Interreligious Council of Albania, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Genti Kruja, presented the activities carried out during 2025, highlighting significant events that promoted interfaith dialogue, as well as joint initiatives in areas affecting the wider society—especially the youth and women of all religious communities.
Discussions continued on shared challenges such as property issues, taxation, state financial support, the recent draft law, and more.
The members of the Presidency Board commended the activities carried out throughout the year, especially the rigorous work of the Working Group composed of experts from various fields regarding the preparation of the report on the recent draft law on “Gender Equality”.
A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to the IRCA Strategic Plan 2025–2028, drafted by a working group consisting of representatives from the Executive Board, the Women’s Department, and the Youth Department. The Presidency Board expressed gratitude to this working group for their commitment and the work accomplished.
Afterward, Mrs. Sheldiana Jano Agaraj presented the detailed financial and legal report for 2025, emphasizing the need to increase financial capacities in order to strengthen the role and activity of the Interreligious Council in the coming years.
The meeting was attended by the highest representatives of the five religious communities of Albania:
The Muslim Community of Albania, represented by Haxhi Bujar Spahiu;
The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, represented by His Beatitude Joan, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania;
The Catholic Church of Albania, represented by Mons. Gjergj Meta, President of the Episcopal Conference of Albania and President of the Interreligious Council for 2025;
The World Bektashi Headquarters, represented by the World Leader of the Bektashi Order, H. Dede Edmond Brahimaj;
And the Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania (VUSH), represented by Pastor Erion Sylari.
The meeting, held at the premises of the World Bektashi Headquarters, concluded in a warm and mutually respectful atmosphere, reaffirming once again that interreligious harmony remains a cherished and enduring value of Albanian society.
Photos: Nuri ÇUMANI
