TIRANA,
October 25 (IslamOnline.net) - At first it was simply another role we
wanted to play, but the character of a young muezzin (the person who
makes the call to prayer) became a turning point in the life of Mirush
Kabashi, one of Albania’s leading actors.
Kabashi
wanted, as always, to carefully and thoroughly study the character of
the protagonist, who happened to be a young muezzin in the south
Albanian town of Berat.
Out
of an actor’s curiosity, he started reading Islamic books and
listening to tape recordings of different muezzins.
He
studied the meanings of the words of the Adhan (call to prayer) and
even insisted to record the Adhan in the movie in his own voice, again
for strictly professional considerations.
Religious
Oppression
The
film, based on a true story, features the ordeal of the young muezzin
under the anti-religion communist regime which came to power in 1943
and rule until 1990.
Albania
is the only communist country where religion was completely banned and
which was proclaimed “atheistic” by the 1976 constitution.
In
1967, the regime outlawed all religious ritual which led to the
demolition of most mosques in the European country.
There
are now some 270 mosques in Albania out of 1667 established before the
Communism era.
Muslims
make up a majority of 75 percent of Albania’s 3.2 million
population.
Like
many who refused to relinquish their religion, the muezzin was thrown
into jail for eight years and because we continued to perform his
prayers inside prison he was slapped with another eight-year term.
Moved
The
Albanian movie star, who received several international acting awards,
was touched by the story of the fresh graduate who sacrificed long
years of his life in defense of his religious beliefs.
Kabashi,
a Muslim who did not really get a chance to know or practice his
religion under the communist regime, started to frequent Tabaq mosque
in the capital Tirana.
He
was heart-heatedly welcomed by the mosque imam, Sheikh Elvis, and the
worshipers.
Kabashi
had many questions about Islam and how a practicing Muslim spends his
day to which he received answers from both Elvis and Albania’s vice
mufti Bledar Myftari.
The
New Kabashi
Kabashi’s
repeated visits to the mosque over a period of one year and a half had
an indelible marks on his character and lifestyle.
Six
months ago he committed himself to the practice of his religion and
has since then been performing the five daily prayers in the mosque.
By
early October, Kabashi finished his training as muezzin with imam
Elvis.
And
for the very first time in his entire life, he started to fast during
the Muslims holy month of Ramadan.
Kabashi
regretted anti-Islam campaign in the local and international media,
asserting that thanks to the tolerance nature of Islam Albania’s
multi-ethnic society remains largely homogeneous.
He
also highlighted a generally amicable relationship among the religions
in society.
The
Islamic Sheikdom in Tirana, the highest Islamic body in the country,
has paid $4,000 for the state television to
