Objetivo Específico:

Mosque is the most important building in Islam. Mosque in Islam is more than just a place for spiritual solace, but also served as an educational and community centre (SitiHoiriyah, 2000).

4.1 The Cultural Role of Mosque

Ervin Hatibi (2008)states that Islam is believed to be positive in building Albanian identity. Most of the people during Ottoman Empire converted to Islam to save their identity. In this regard the mosques in Albania remained the most influential places in shaping and protecting the identity of the Albanian Muslim community throughout history, in other words, the mosque is the chamber where the Muslim community sought refuge and protection whenever they were seriously endangered by different political developments.(WORLD BULLETIN,2008) During the Monotheism Period it can be seen that the first significant role of the mosques in Albania remained to protect the Albanian identity. As we know languageisone ofthe most significant elementsof national identity. The Monotheist Empire tried to impose Slav words to Albanian vocabulary, but the mosque was the place where the language was protected and was sheltered. The mosques resisted by delivering the lessons and speeches in Albanian language in order to cultivate and protect it from external influences as the imams and teachers of religion called on the importance of the national language during their speeches. Also the mosque played an important role in contributing to the establishment of autonomous Albanian state. In 1878, the Prizren league was held in “Bajrashi” mosque, testifying the involvement of mosque in the political life of Albania.

Figure 6: Political meeting on the State matter

4.2 The Spiritual Role Of Mosque

The mosque is the most revered and most sacred place on the Earth's surface, because we worship the Creator of whole world, there we find comfort for all creatures, angels, people and gin. It is the place where the first man Adam (Adam) asked God to forgive and have mercy to him. The Quran says: "Verily the mosques are for Allah" (Al-Jinn, 18) An Islamic scholar used to compare the mosques with stars. He said: "... As stars adorn the sky at night, the mosques adorn the earth during the day." (Zekaj R.2010) Mosques are places where we constantly submitto God. Mosque is a place it connects the believer to hereafter. In past, Albania has been a disquiet place, where many invasions took place, followed by economical and spiritual problems. People have been experiencing a lot of plight making their life very hassled and miserable. In this world of noise and troubles, mosques were an oasis of peace and calm. It was the only time for Muslim worshipers to put away the worldly matters and have only connection with their God asking for help and blessing.

Figure 7: A worshiper reading the Quran in Mosque, while waiting for the Ezan prayer

4.3 The Social Role Of Mosque

The mosque has always been home to the unity of Islamic society. Here we meet people, chat and get the sense of brotherhood, consult one another and get advice from fellow brothersfor our religious and cultural needs especially given through lectures, speeches and etc. It is related to the economic life of Muslims too. The mosque had the opportunity to play a significant role in the overall economic system of Islamic society. The paying of ‘zekat’ (charity) that is one of the pillars of Islam was often organized via mosques. The mosque has always been place of knowledge, place of discussing the moral and spiritual norms, on which society and the future of a nation stands. Mosque plays the role of parliament. There being discussing opinions, debates and discussions were held, a lot of decisions were taken for the benefit of the people and homeland. Thus, it often became a starting point of military expeditions and the source of slogans for freedom and independence. Many mosques were also organically linked with other buildings as madrasa’s, libraries, hammams, shops and etc. In the Grand mosque, in Durres (fig.9) there is still the well inthe mosque. It has served to the community for their basic needs.

Figure 8: The Mosque of ‘Medreses” attached to the Islamic school in Tirana

Figure 9: Water well of Grand Mosque, Durres

4.4 Services offered today by Albanian mosques in general

According to the regulation of the Albanian Muslim Council; mosques as the buildings should belong to the custody of the local Muslim institution called Myftiny. Minimum staff of a mosque would consists of three persons, who are paid from the office of “Cost of Goods Sold”, mainly in major cities like Tirana, Durres, Fier, Shkodra, Vlora, Korca, etc. These three people are; the imam, who is also head of the main

62 Social and Cultural Impact of Grand Mosque Durres on _{the Development of Muslim Community, Albania}  

mosque that directs and approves all actions taken within it. Myezini, who calls the Adhan five times designated by the calendar, and replaces the imam if he is absent, and custodian of the mosque, cares for the opening of the mosque, keeping it clean, take care for water ablution etc. Also in the regulation of the Cost of Goods Sold is provided for the establishment of a mosque Council of 5 to 7 persons, including the imam,myezin and custodian and two or four other persons from the regular congregation of that mosque, whom would contribute voluntarily for different jobs. Services of the mosque are mainly congregational prayers, funeral activities, marriages, births, qurban (sacrifices), childcare, classes, lectures, or even counselling. Imams are supposed to lead prayer at least three of the five daily prayers in the mosque.

However the present functions of the mosques are generally minimal. Most of the mosques are not fully serving as they were during the time of early development of the mosques in Albania. The imam of Grand Mosque, Durres stated that, some of the mosques are having different functions just serving from main prayer halls as the spaces inside mosques are not purposely designed for other expected functions. Therefore for some activities mosque management will be renting spaces outside Mosque complex. As a result community is not fully involved in mosque activities within mosque environment. Therefore the impact of mosque as a religious centre for the development of Muslim community in Albania is not seen significant today.

5. Social and Cultural Impact of Grand Mosque Durres on the Development of