Albania becomes the first Muslim-majority country to adopt the International Definition of Antisemitism

Albania has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

The country’s Parliament adopted the Definition last Thursday ahead of the upcoming Balkans Forum Against Antisemitism conference, which the Parliament is organising in conjunction with Jewish groups.

Albania thereby becomes the first Muslim-majority to adopt the Definition.

Campaign Against Antisemitism applauds this decision at a time of rising antisemitism in Europe.

“It is good news that we, the Albanians and the peoples of the Western Balkans, a region that has suffered more than any other part of the world, the consequences of ethno-centrist and religious-centrist views and attitudes, join this emancipatory action of contemporary civilization: the fight against antisemitism,” said Gramoz Ruci, the Speaker of Albania’s parliament.

“All nations that throughout history have protected Jews from extermination and support them today against stigma have a right to be proud,” he said, adding: “But we Albanians have more reasons to be proud, because Albania is the only country in Europe where all Jews were taken under protection and rescued during World War II. Our homeland, Albania, in difficult times has served as a substitute soil for Jews.”

Britain was the first country in the world to adopt the International Definition, something for which Campaign Against Antisemitism and Lord Pickles worked hard over many meetings with officials at Downing Street. Serbia joins a growing list of national governments and public bodies to use the Definition.