The Moderate Muslims of Kosovo
As a Muslim, I am starting to detest the term “moderate Muslim.” The term somehow indicates that if one merely uses the word “Muslim” to describe an adherent to Islam one means radical or at least fundamentalist. After all, if ‘moderate’ is normal, why name it? We use the term radical or extremist or fundamentalist Muslim to emphasize the radical nature of the individual we describe. This, in effect, makes clear that the far majority of Muslims are not extremist in any way, for the distinction would not be made if such were the case.
Nonetheless, ‘moderate’ Muslim is used rather often to describe those I consider “Muslim.” Those who use it often do not have ill intentions so I will not lambaste my friend Michael J. Totten for using the term in his latest article for City Journal, which happens to be a must read about the ‘moderate Muslims’ of Kosovo.
Totten explains that Kosovo’s population is majority Muslim, but that most Kosovars consider themselves Albanian (most Kosovars are Albanians) or Kosovar first and foremost, Muslim second. Seldom did he see a woman covering herself up, as so many women living in Arab countries do. Alcohol was sold and drunk just like in any Western country. In short: Kosovars may be Muslim, but they are modern and Western oriented nonetheless.
Some Wahabbis – the Saudi extreme version of Islam which forces women to cover up, implements the Sharia strictly in some ways, encourages terrorism against non-Muslims, etc. – are trying to change the ‘moderate’ nature of Kosovo’s Islam, but they are having little to no success making converts: the far, far majority of Kosovars do not want to have anything to do with a religious ideology of hatred, devisiveness, intolerance, backwardness and violence.
Strangely enough, the quest to ‘find’ ‘moderate Muslims’ continues unabated nonetheless. Certain factions, especially ‘conservatives’ in the West, will read Totten’s article, link to it, think about it for 10 seconds, and they’ll go on to write a post tomorrow, or a comment at a blog, wondering where all those ‘moderate Muslims’ are and why they never speak out against terrorism committed by extremist Muslims. These ‘moderate Muslims’ can, however, be found everywhere, from Turkey to Azerbaijan, from Azerbaijan to Kosovo, from Kosovo to Indonesia, from Indonesia to Iran (many Persians are more ‘moderate’ than many think), and from Iran to the West. The only excuse not to see them is blindness.
Of course, some will then wonder why it is that these Muslims do not declare some kind of religious war on the extremists. The answer to that question is perfectly worded by a person Totten talked to in his article for City Journal: moderate Muslims do not fight religious wars. They do not do so per definition. They fight ’secular’ wars: for freedom, equality and democracy. When they side with non-Muslims in a war, they do so not because they want to ‘purify’ Islam but because they consider extremists to be a danger to their lives, liberty and family. But if they would fight ‘religious wars’ or wars out of religious motivation they would no longer be ‘moderate.’
This is why it has been so important for the United States and its allies to explain that both the wars on Afghanistan and Iraq were not of a religious but secular nature. Bush has certainly succeeded in doing so in Kosovo, but a lot remains to be done in the other ‘moderate Muslim countries’ mentioned earlier.
One should read the history of the Muslim Albanians in Serbia’s southern province of Kosovo. The term ‘moderate’ basically means that they are not shouting death to all Jews, and Christians in public.
How ‘Moderate were they during WWII? What about the KLA? that runs the so called govt. today? the war over the land of Kosovo has to do with oil, and a US military base located in Kosovo.
Pretty good article, it is true that many Kosovan Albanians would consider them selves as moderate Muslims or I call the Muslims by default. I was Muslim by defolt as well, but not I don’t believe in Islam or any other, religions. Albanians switch religions to survive from neighbor enemies , they would be first group of people to become Christians and after partly some would turn in to Orthodox and finally over 50% in to Islam. Reason why, Islam did not apply well to Albanians considering lifestyle, geographic and many different reasons.
I have worked in Kosovo for 1 year back in 2005. I think you are right on point. It is hard to find more of a secular society than in Kosovo. It is refreshing to not have arguments (that often stem from religious beliefs) in everyday life.
Albanians are opportunist. They converted to the Muslim faith only to advance themselves with the Ottoman Turks. Prior to being Muslim they were Orthodox Christians. Does not say much about being a ‘moderate’, but maybe a better world would be a opportunist.
Yes, it is true that Kosovo’s Albanians are quite secular, but it is also true that Serbia’s propaganda machine, as witnessed in these comments, tries to stress the opposite, unashamedly at that.
I would not write comments to portrait Albanians or Serbs,. Albanians are one of the most tolerant nations when it come to religions. Albanians were the only nation in Europe who would help Jews during WWll. Check the history buddy: http://www.amazon.com/Kosovo-Short-History-Noel-Malcolm/dp/0060977752
I don’t know why : srpkinjica is waiting his/her time writing about Albanian. Serbs should tell more about their crimes since 1836.
“Religion of Albanian is Albanianizm “
Vaso Pasha (Albanian Christian, Governor of Lebanon late 1800)
cheers
Just one more note. It is striking to see the religious moderation in Kosovo even when compared to its neighbors, namely, Serbs in the north. The religious extremism in Serbia was best illustrated a few years ago when a few tapes were made public of the eastern orthodox priests blessing Serbian soldiers before they shot 10 tied Bosnian children in their back. It was gruesome by any account.
What is a Kosovar?
Do Albanians living in Kosovo whish to join Albania?
Why do they use the Albanian flag?
The fact still stands that Kosovo can’t survive without Serbia.
40% of gross product comes from Serbia. Religion was only used my the KLA to drive attention to the matter. Who supplies the drugs into Europe? Serbs never should have taken the Krajina region of Croatia, but war could have been avoided with talk, not guns. If the Serbs had been given small atonomy with a European role, things would have been better for all. Leasons for moving forward. Why did Albanians from Kosovo come to fight in Bosnia?
I don’t know if you are Croat or not, But firs Albanians fought in Croatia against Serb, why?! . Key general in “Oluja” offensive was Albanian and in Gospic as well. It is not true that Kosovo can not stand without Serbia, Serbia’s market is not Western Europe, and products from Serbia are cheaper that is all.
Excellent point which illustrates political extremism in the West which demonizes the “other” whoever they may be. Kosovo specifically, is a contested territory and the brokers of that conflict are the industrialized nations of the West who also happen to be secular and predominantly Christian. The only reason there is even a question surrounding the Muslim Albanians is a direct result of Serbian propaganda which attempts to delegitimize Kosovars struggle for independence and freedom. A great example of this disinformation is John Frank’s comment above. Albania had three times more Jews after WWII than before. Why? Because Albanians refused to surrender any Jews to the Nazis. Serbia had a far worse record. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia was proudly declared the first “Juden frie” city in Europe. Why? because Serbs actively collaborated with the Nazis and had a home grow nationalist movement (chetniks) that killed thousands of Jews, Germans, Hungarians, Albanians, Roma, Italians and Bosnians. In Fact, nationalism has been the dominant political ideology in Serbia since 1800’s and continues to this day with the current regime. Ethnic cleansing was invented by Serbia.
Labinot:
Mirko Norac was the commander of Gospic. Who must be thinking of UCK fihter Agim Ceku. He was a paid fighter who should be on trial, and not Gotovina. Corats have one state, and the Serbs can live in that state. How many Serbs live in Albania?
Kosovo is Serbia. The EU will lift the Albanian population to some standard, becuase they are 500 years behind, give them self rule, and end of story.
John Frank:
I fear you are gravely missinformed. First, Kosova ceased to be a province of Serbia almost a year ago. Second, if Kosova is 500 years behind, then that would be a poor reflection on Serbia’s appreciation of the “cradle of their civilization.”
Ivo Croat:
I used to live in Zagreb during the war, and I must say that MANY of your war heroes were actually war criminals, including Tudman, with Serbs and Bosnians their victims. Please do not throw stones when you live in a glass house.
i am not a muslim but i am albanian and can say with certainty that religious extremism does not exist in kosove unless you are making a reference to serbian orthodoxy.
i could walk the streets of kosove with a rosary visable around my neck and nobody would give me a hard time about it. would that be the case in saudi arabia or other arab nations? i doubt it.
that is just one of many distinctions that can be made about the “muslim world” and kosove. trying to link religious extremism amongst albanians has been the goal of serbia and other neighbors of the albanian people for some time and everytime it has rightfully failed.
i suspect it will continue to rear it’s ugly head in the future.
Everyone know the history of where the serbians come from and they should go back. Ever since the serbs arrived on the balkan peninsula all they have caused is trouble. Kosovo can live without serbia, No Problem. When kosovo was under serbian rule is when the corruption began. Now that tey are independent things are getting much better.
According to recent surveys and testing Kosovo is gradually taking over serbia’s living standard (Brand New Infrastructure, gradually incresing economy and slightly better relations with ethnic serbs). Serbia has not made any Major achievments in years. One the Border between serbia and kosovo you can see how much better kosovo is without serbia (On the kosovo side of the border there are new road and traffic system, as soon as you go into serbia the road is full of muddy potholes and a bad traffic system. KOSOVO IS INDEPENDENT…. FACE THE FACT
Just adding one more thing…
In Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia, a high level of corruption, high unemployment and the fact that the majority of citizens are poor today remains low on the list of priorities for politicians. And upon examining the election results, it would seem that these most pressing issues are not of great concern among the voters, either.
In Serbia, politicians, both nationalist and moderate, still use Kosovo as a major campaign tool, promising Serbian voters that the province will once again be returned to Serbia.
NOT GONNA HAPPEN
Well, I am a Kosovar muslim but in general im not religious at all just like most Kosovars and i dont really care what people belive in the main point is that people should live side by side no matter what religion is that they belive.
To the Serbs and ”Croat” commentators belive you me KOSOVO can and will live much better off without Serbia like we allready doing it now and we will accept anything but never under Serbian boot again never ever.
Kosovo Independent 4ever
Cheers
Tony:
the Albanian population is behind 500 years. the porest, and most criminal nation enthnic group in the world. That is a FACT. I’m not Serbian, nor would I want to be. I’m Canadian, and international law states that Kosovo not Kosova as you and other Albanians like to call it; is a part of Serbia.
John Frank.. Ye OK
Your are not Serbian than i am not Albanian.. You speak with the language of extremists and may they be muslim or orthodox(as I suspect you are) they are not good. Kosova was it is and will forever belong to the rightful owners the kosovar Albanians. The Serbs came there in teh 6th century and ever since all they have done is create wart.. So please just don’t generalize because than the Serbs are the most evil people in the world since they have killed thousands upon thousands in the last 15 years. So who is more criminal now Albanians or Serbians??
Oh, john frank…I’m also Canadian and have the wonderful luck of being both Canadian and Kosovar.
As a Canadian, I’m proud that my country has recognized Kosov@ as an independent state – Be it Kosovo or Kosova, it’s the same thing: it doesn’t change the fact that there is now a 193rd independent state in the world. By the way, this is your Canada, too, so you may disagree with the actions of our Canada, but the truth is that we recognize Kosov@ as an independent state.
It’s a little low of you to talk about Kosov@ as an extremist state – perhaps you should compare the hate propaganda that sprang up from Serbian Orthodox churches in both Kosov@ and Serbia in the 1980s and 1990s – sadly, they continue today. I agree with John [not john frank] who says that compared to Kosov@’s neighbour to the North, Kosovars are extremely moderate. They don’t promote nationalist hatred in the mosques across the country, which cannot be said about Sunday sermons in Serbian Orthodox churches. It is sad indeed
I also cannot say that Kosovar Muslims are as secular as the article claims them to be – 50 years of Titoism and before that, extreme religious oppression by the occupying Serbia have done their part to force religion out of Kosovars, but it has not quite done it yet. Islamic spirituality is at its best in Kosov@ – It’s wonderful to have the freedom to practice your religion without having anyone force it on you.
The times of Ottoman, Serbian Nationalist, Yugoslav repression are over – On with modern progress of being both Muslim and European. It’s time for Europe to accept it as reality, not as a paradox.
Some ignorants write that we are poor, criminals and so on. Who is saying we are poor? A Serb, whose country is rich? WHo is to blame for the dissolution of Yugoslavia and bring poverty to Balkans? Serbia of course. How much of an id you have to be to figure this out. Regarding religion, well none of us is born with religion, and that is why we are first Albanians. Serbia used to speak on behalf of Albanians, but that time is gone. Thakns God people cami in and see it for themselves, and not listen to your propaganda. Serbia is someone wo gave birth to a Hitler of modern times and just 10 years ago and even today has its supporters. World thinks differently, that is the reason wy they recognized us.
One word: perception.
I think you would find in majority Muslim countries that Muslims would just be Muslims, and the fundamentalists and extremists would be that.
But in the West, at least since 9/11 (and maybe earlier), the image a lot of people see when they think “Muslim” is not someone like you, Michael. They think Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein. When the “moderate” modifier is added, then those “other” Muslims are thought of.
It’s a sort of stereotyping, or prejudice, really. After all, when a lot of Westerners think “Christian,” they probably don’t immediately think of Warren Jeffs. Even when you add “fundamentalist” you don’t think of Jeffs. You probably think more of Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell (or replace with a well known Christian figure in your country).
Then you say, “Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”, and only then would most think of Warren Jeffs.
So it’s how a group is perceived is why the “moderate” modifier is used. It is sort of a sad thing, really. But after debating more than a few people who seriously think that at its core Islam preaches hate and violence, it’s easy to see why this is the situation in some parts of the word.
John Frank,
Where are you getting this rubbish information from??
Sure, Albania does have its crime and so do other countries. Fact is that Serbia is responsible for the most deadly war crimes in history of the balkans.
Albania doesnt even have anything to do with this article. Its about “The Moderate Muslims of Kosovo” whether they are Albanian, Serbian or any other ethnic group that may live in Kosovo.
Mate Your not even from the area, so I suggest that you go and read some true and relevant information before you start these “accusations”.
Tom S,
Kosovar Albanians use the albanian flag because they are Albanian!! Its quite obvious dont you think? Up until Independence from serbia, Kosovo had no flag. The Albanians used the albanian flag and the Serbian used the Serbian flag. But before the war, the official flag of kosovo was the Serbian Flag because it under serbian Authority. I don know where you are from but you probably Know that the mojority Albanians and Serbians Dont get Along. It sort of explains things in the region.
John Frank,
There is no oil in Kosovo. There are minerals in Mitrovica but no oil. get your facts right.
Ceku was former JNA officer, who was doing his job and became Brigadier General appointed by Franjo Tudjman. Rrahimm Ademi, also a Creation general participated in Oluja. I fill bed for Gotovina , but Croation government should have been more supportive. Watch “Hrvatska Ljubavi moja” YouTube. Albania is 100% free Serb, Kosovo is not, but it wont matter.
@John
John,
Thank you for stating that. Its like they just seem to miss all of their bad doing and to make themselves feel better they point the finger not realizing they have four pointing back at them.
I am not saying were perfect but I do know that were not what they’re fed either.
One point I would like to add to strengthen Johns Point.
I’m From Northern Albania where we defended our land from Serbo-Montenegrin Agression for centuries and I mean centuries. Every generation from my grandfather and all the way to 13 generations back that i can go we have fought against the turks and Serbo-montenegrins. A accurate picture of this can be found in Edith Durhams writing who spent 20 years in the balkans and in particular in Malsia e Madhe where I am from. She concludes that this was a phenomenom like no other. The Orthodox hated the Catholics more than the Muslims. It was appalling to her. It was unlike nothing she had seen before and something she couldnt understand. The Serbo-Montenegrins on numerous accounts came to the villages raped, killed burned villages and “churches” over and over.
But the serb nationalist dont know this bc rueters was not around to report this.
Bottom line is that the difference is that any albanian from any part of the world has experienced direct oppression from the Serbs. In contrary i would bet my life that 95% plus of these bloggers get their sources from the news like serbianna and serbian propaganda that portray us as whatever. Instead of reading propaganda, why dont you rad you own scholars like Vaso Cubrolovic, Dobrica Cosic and others. I guarantee you find these people credible enough. Im not giving you scholars from out side…they’re your own people. you decide!!
Of the former Yugoslavia, there was only 1 common denominator throughout ALL of the decades of violence in what was yugoslavia across ALL ethnic and religious lines. And That was Serbia and Serbs. Be they Christian or Muslim, Fellow slavs or albanians Serbs attacked them all.
there is not a shred of responsibility by serbs for any of it… inedeed the best you can find are serbs doing there best to “equalize” the situation by demonizing the other guy as much as possible… wich is blatantly obvious by the comments of serbs here…
unfortunately for serbs, the “other guy” is pretty much everyone else unfortunate enough to have lived with them under what was yugoslavia.
Yes Serbians, you are the bad guys in all of it… there are now 7 countries formed by different peoples across different religions who wanted to get away from you. Thats just how it is.
Interesting isnt it? how serbian comments really dont deal with the article in question … seems that anything that doesnt fit into serbian propaganda about kosovars just really sets em off.
As for the Article in question… it CAN be said that Kosovars are Moderate Muslims in a very real sense. If it was a perfect world and we didnt have to use “moderate” to differentiate a muslim – from – a muslim extremist… Kosovars would still be “Moderate Muslims” they do just lean that much more towards secularism.
This is amazing, first of all I found points made by Michael very true when speaking of Muslim and Islam… when Christian fighters in Uganda, specifically Lord’s Resistance Army rape kill and massacre people around 500.000 (same as in Ruanda 400.000, Bosnia 250.000, Kosovo 20.000, Chechnya you guess how many!) they are not called Christian terrorists even through Christian Orthodox priests blessed Serbian paramilitary before they slaughtered and raped Bosnians they were never called Christian terrorist. So when crime is Committed by Christian fundamentalist the worlds media does not link it with religion and when few fanatics with Muslim background blow themselves up they are immediately called Islamist terrorist… so after a while Islam got equal to terrorism and having a Muslim name immediately implies that you are hateful, liberties, free speech and if you have a chance you will blow yourself up !!
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