What is the main difference between Sunni and Shia Islam?

Sunnis focus on following the Prophet’s example whereas Shi’a focus on the lineage of Muhammad’s family through a series of Imams. Since the 1970s, and especially since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, there has been growing tension between Sunni and Shi’a communities in parts of the Middle East.

What branch of Islam is in Albania?

Sunni
The Sunni community is recognised by the Albanian state and it administers most of the mosques while also viewed as the main representative of Muslims in the country.

What is the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims?

The difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims began as a political question in Islam’s early history. After the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him died his Companions needed to decide who became the leader of the Muslim community. Sunnis believe that the Prophet peace be upon him did not explicitly designate anyone to become the ruler after it.

How did Albania become a Muslim country?

Albania first came into contact with Islam in the 9th century when Muslim Arabs raided the eastern Adriatic. [4] [5] Islam was first introduced to Albania in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of the area.

What is the official religion of Albania?

From the early days of interwar Albania and due to Albania’s heterogeneous religious makeup, Albania’s political leadership defined Albania as without an official religion. Muslim Albanians at that time formed around 70\% of the total population of 800,000 and Albania was the only Muslim country in Europe.

What happened to Sufi Islam in Albania after independence?

Throughout the interwar period, the Albanian intellectual elite often undermined and depreciated Sunni Islam, whereas Sufi Islam and its various orders experienced an important period of promising growth. After independence, ties amongst the wider Sufi Bektashi community in former Ottoman lands waned.