The Namazgah mosque in Tirana, Albania, stands at 50 meters and accommodates approximately 8,000 worshippers, making it a significant Islamic site in the Western Balkans. Funded by the Turkish religious authority Diyanet with around $34 million, its design is inspired by Istanbul's Blue Mosque. Inaugurated by Turkish President Erdoğan in October 2024, the mosque's opening included a cooperation agreement with Albania regarding agriculture and education. Local actors also contribute to mosque funding, which balances national prestige with the interests of external powers.
The Namazgah mosque shows how Turkey is acting as a regional power in the Western Balkans, and working to increase its influence by building places of worship.
The construction of mosques as a means to project soft power is also closely linked with furthering economic, political and military interests.
Collection
[
|
...
]