page_title: Religion in Albania
section_title: Freedom of religion
hierarchical_section_title: Religion in Albania / Freedom of religion
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Représentants de communautés religieuses albanaises (sunnite, orthodoxe, bektachi et catholique) lors de la manifestation en hommage aux morts des attentats de janvier 2015 à Paris - 11 janvier 2015. On peut notamment citer Mgr Lucjan Avgustini, à droite. English: Representatives of Albanian religious communities at the Republican Marches honouring the victims of the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris on January 11, 2015 – from left: Ylli Gurra, en:mufti of Tirana Andoni Merdani, bishop of Kruja, Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania Edmond Brahimaj, global head of the Bektashi order Lucjan Avgustini, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sapë
context_page_description: The most-commonly practised religion in Albania is Islam, the second-most-commonly practiced religion is Christianity, however there are also many irreligious people.
  Albania is constitutionally a secular state since 1967, and as such, "neutral in questions of belief and conscience": The former Communist government declared Albania as the world's first and only "Atheist state". Believers faced harsh punishments, and many clergymen were killed. Religious observance and practice is generally lax today, and polls have shown that, compared to the populations of other countries, few Albanians consider religion to be a dominant factor in their lives. When asked about religion, people refer to their family's historical religious legacy and not to their own choice of faith. Being a secular country today, people are free to choose to believe or not, and to change their faith. Religion is separated from the public sphere and citizens show strong support for secularism.
context_section_description: The Constitution extends freedom of religion to all citizens and the government generally respects this right in practice. The Albanian Constitution declares no official religion and provides for equality of all religions; however, the predominant religious communities (Bektashi, Sunni Muslim, Orthodox and Roman Catholic) enjoy a greater degree of official recognition (e.g. national holidays) and social status based on their historical presence in the country. All registered religious groups have the right to hold bank accounts and to own property and buildings. Religious freedoms have in large part been secured by the generally amicable relationship among religions. The Ministry of Education has the right to approve the curricula of religious schools to ensure their compliance with national education standards while the State Committee on Cults oversees implementation. There are also 68 vocational training centers administered by religious communities.
  Government policy and practice contributed to the generally free exercise of religion. The government is secular and the Ministry of Education asserts that public schools in the country are secular and that the law prohibits ideological and religious indoctrination. Religion is not taught in public schools.
caption: Leaders of Albania's four main denominations in 2015 in Paris in response to the Charlie Hebdo attack
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