The path of jihad: Over Kosovo and Metohija to Europe

Abstract

The problems of Serbs and Albanians, just like the problems of all Balkan states bordering with Albanians, can be solved only if the problem is properly understood. Analyses so far have started from the premise that this is the problem of growing Albanian nationalism seeking its solution in territorial expansion and the idea of Greater Albania. On this view, such nationalism is treated as markedly anti-religious. Miranda Vickers and James Pettifer have shown that this is not fully so and that religion plays an important role in Albanian politics. Yet, they have also retained the position of their predecessors that Albanian nationalism is the primary issue to be discussed. This text is trying to prove that the role of religion, jihad ideology in particular, is much more present in Albanian politics than it might seem at first sight, and that it will become ever more significant. .

Srpsko-albanski problemi, kao i problemi svih balkanskih država koje imaju granicu sa Albancima se mogu rešiti samo ako se problem pravilno razume. Dosadašnje analize su polazile od stava da se radi o problemu naraslog albanskog nacionalizma koji traži svoje rešenje u teritorijalnoj ekspanziji i ostvarenju ideje Velike Albanije. Pri tome se taj nacionalizam tretira kao izrazito antireligiozan. Miranda Vikers i Džejms Petifer su pokazali da to nije baš tako i da religija igra značajnu ulogu u albanskoj politici, ali su ipak ostali na pozicijama svojih prethodnika da se radi prvenstveno o albanskom nacionalizmu. Ovaj tekst pokušava da dokaže da je uloga religije, posebno ideologije džihada, mnogo prisutnija u albanskoj politici, nego što se to na prvi pogled vidi i da će postajati sve značajnija. .