Scholarly record

RELIGION AS A POLITICAL TOOL IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

E. Aziri

Abstract

Being multiethnic and multi-religious society should be considered a strong point for any society on earth. The Republic of Macedonia has had the “honor and challenge” of having a very heterogeneous population in terms of its ethic and religious composition. The demographic structure of the population in the country is very specific, since all religions can be found among all ethnic groups with the country. Although the country is divided alongside ethnic lines, such lines become very blur when it comes to religion. Most Muslims in the country belong to the Albanian community and most Macedonians are Christian orthodox. This is the only straightforward fact that can be emphasized from this point of view. But, when it comes to the ethnic-religious-political mix in the country, things are more than just complicated and difficult to comprehend. Most of the Muslims in the country are Albanian by ethnicity, but it should also be noted that all Turks, and an unknown number of Roma also belong to the Muslim community. Most members of the orthodox community are ethnic Macedonians, but is should also be noted that all Serbs in the country belong to this community. For things to become even more complicated is should be noted that the Macedonian Orthodox Church has never been accepted by the Serb Orthodox Church. On the other hand there is an undisclosed number of ethnic Albanians belonging to the orthodox religion and only a portion of them have lately founded the Albanian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Macedonia. There is also an undisclosed number of Macedonians belonging to the Muslim community, and a few years back they began an initiative to differentiate themselves as a particular group named the Torbesh nation in Macedonia. A Catholic community comprised of members of different ethnic communities exists in the country as well. Besides this, many denominations exist within the orthodox community in the country and the Muslim Albanians are divided in Suny and Shia, the latest being a numerically smaller community. Having in mind such a complex religious meltdown in a very small country of less than 2 million people, a country divided along side a small majority and a large minority (Macedonians and Albanians) it becomes clear enough that it would be smart to have a clear distinction between country, power and religion. But, unfortunately during the last couple of years, there is a general feeling that religion has started to interfere with politics and politics has started to interfere in religious matters. Although religious tolerance has been a feature of the country for a long period of time, as will be noted throughout the paper unfortunately clear signs of religious intolerance spurred mainly by the political elites in the country have been noticed lately due to a trend of trying to use religion and religious authorities as a political tool.

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