Erdogan inaugurates Turkish mosque in Tirana, Albania

On October 10, 2024, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Tirana, Albania, to inaugurate the Namazgah mosque, a significant Turkish-funded project. The mosque, featuring 50-meter-high minarets and a capacity for 8,000 worshippers, is one of the largest in the Balkans and symbolizes the strengthening of ties between Turkey and Albania. Erdogan's visit also included discussions with Albanian leaders, including President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama, focusing on enhancing cooperation in agriculture and education. During the meetings, Erdogan announced Turkey's intention to provide military drones to Albania, emphasizing the importance of military collaboration. This gesture was interpreted by Rama as a clear message of security assurance for Albania. The two nations aim to double their annual trade to 2 billion euros, reflecting Turkey's role as a strategic partner and major investor in Albania. Erdogan also addressed regional issues, condemning Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and calling for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid. In contrast, Rama acknowledged the need for peace but stressed that groups like Hamas should not be part of a peaceful future for Israel and Palestine. This divergence in views highlights the complex geopolitical landscape in which both countries operate. The mosque's construction, funded by Turkey's Diyanet organization, began in 2015 and faced delays due to concerns over the influence of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). Agreements were made to ensure Turkish representation on the mosque's governing board, reflecting Turkey's commitment to maintaining influence in Albania's Muslim community.