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| In the ceremony of conversion to the Catholic religion of the former rector of the University of Pristina, Mr. Muje Rugova |
In a significant development, Arbër Gashi, a representative of the so-called "Deçan Movement," announced that the former rector of the University of Pristina, Mujë Rugova, has converted to Catholicism.
Gashi shared this news through a Facebook post, stating that the ceremony took place in the Rugova Mountains. He also shared several photos with the former rector, celebrating the moment.
In his full post, Gashi wrote:
“Warmest congratulations to Professor and former rector of the University of Pristina, Mr. Mujë Rugova! Professor, may God bless you and all those who, today, on September 11, 2024, in the heart of the Rugova Alps, fulfilled the most sacred national duty by restoring the ancient glory of our ancestors to our lives.”
This initiative is believed to be motivated by geopolitical factors, as a response to the Slavic Orthodox influence in the region. There is a belief that one of the challenges facing Albania and Kosovo in their integration into Europe stems from the fact that the majority of their populations are Muslim.
Historically, before the Ottoman Empire's expansion into the Balkans and the rise of Byzantium, the areas inhabited by Albanians were predominantly Catholic. After the division of the Roman Empire, the Albanians who remained in Byzantine territories adopted Orthodoxy. In this context, many believe that Catholicism was the first monotheistic religion embraced by the Albanians. Meanwhile, the Illyrians and the Pelasgians, ancient ancestors of the Albanians, are thought to have been pagan.
The recent conversion of Mujë Rugova, alongside others, could signify a broader movement that seeks to reaffirm historical and cultural ties with Catholicism as a way to strengthen national identity and navigate the complex dynamics of the Balkans.