New chair of AMC, Bujar Spahiu elected as new chair of AMC with 59 votes in favor

New chair of AMC, Bujar Spahiu elected as new chair of AMC with 59 votes in

Tonight, Debates and resignations in these moments leading up to the elections in the Albanian Muslim Community have been on full display. 

After the presentation by 3 opposing candidates, 87 members of the council have elected Bujar Spahiu with 59 votes in favor to become the new Muslim Community Chair serving under a five year mandate.

For ten years, Spahiu has held the post of Deputy Chair of the Albanian Muslim Community while in his first speech after taking up duty, he assured believers, but also the Albanian state, that he will perform his duties with dedication while preserving the traditions of inter-faith harmony.

The results, however, were not accepted by the losing side. Ylli Gurra, who only received 26 votes in his favor, said the Muslim community was influenced by secret organizations. Stating:

“In spite of my fervent desire to lead an Albanian Muslim community for Albanians, today we are being captured by secret organizations.”

Meanwhile, Lushnja’s Mufti, Gramoz Bllitku received only 2 votes, while Kukës' Islamic Mufti, Islam Hoxha, withdrew himself from the race due to his position as chairman of the General Council.

The former head of AMC, Skënder Bruçaj, clarified his decision not to compete for a second term: stating:

“I am of the opinion that the candidates today are even better than me in carrying out this responsible task.

“So I decided last night to withdrawal myself from running in order to open up a new path, not just a rotation, but now also to open the way for honorable theologians who have graduated in the best Islamic universities around the world.

The election process that started around 10:30 this morning was held in Tirana and was monitored by representatives from the OSCE and the US Embassy.


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