A Catholic priest conducted a mass baptism in a hilltop church in Kosovo, a region predominantly inhabited by Muslims. The ceremony involved the priest immersing many individuals in water and marking their foreheads with a cross, celebrating what he described as Christianity's recovery of souls in a predominantly Muslim land.
This event is part of a broader trend in Kosovo, where a small group of ethnic Albanian Christian activists, all converts from Islam, are advocating for a “return movement.” They aim to promote a revival of pre-Islamic traditions as a means of territorial and cultural identity in response to perceived threats from religious extremism.
The history of Kosovo reveals that ethnic Albanians were primarily Catholic before the Ottoman Empire established Islam in the region in the 14th century. Father Fran Kolaj, who led the baptisms, stated that returning to Christianity allows ethnic Albanians to reclaim their original identity.
Ethnic Albanians, who have roots tracing back to the Illyrians, predominantly reside in Albania and comprise the majority in Kosovo. At the baptism site, nationalist symbols intertwined with religious imagery, highlighting the connection between national identity and faith.
While renouncing Islam can lead to severe repercussions in some contexts, the baptism ceremonies in Kosovo have so far not encountered violent backlash, despite some public criticisms appearing online. Historians caution against the oversimplification of this movement, suggesting it reflects modern political motives rather than genuine historical narratives.
Archaeological discoveries in recent years have indicated the presence of early Christian communities in the region, but experts warn against using contemporary definitions of nationality to analyze ancient societies. A small number of families have maintained Catholic beliefs under the pressures of a predominantly Muslim environment, leading to informal practices of dual faith observance.
The coexistence of Islam and Christianity in Kosovo has historically been peaceful, disrupted only during the violent conflicts of the 1990s. Although foreign missionaries have largely stayed away from conversion efforts, some ethnic Albanians in Europe have voiced support for a Catholic revival, linking it to aspirations for European Union membership.
Concerns have been raised about funding for Islamic institutions from foreign sources, which some believe threatens the region’s moderate religious practices. While symbols of Catholic heritage are prevalent, such as a statue of Mother Teresa, new mosques funded by Turkey are also under construction.
Many individuals participating in the return movement view their Christian conversion as a means of affirming their ethnic identity, with some leaders downplaying the importance of religion in national identity, stating that it has never been a primary consideration for Albanians.
Activists argue for the necessity of cementing national loyalties through Roman Catholicism, claiming it reflects a true expression of Albanian identity. However, this perspective is contested by government leaders and various scholars.
The inception of the current movement transpired during a recent meeting in Decani, which concluded that promoting Christianity would bolster Albanian identity. The gathering initially adopted a provocative title, “Movement for the Abandonment of the Islamic Faith,” which has since been softened to “Movement of Return.”
Kosovo’s grand mufti has expressed concern over this movement, highlighting its potential to disrupt religious harmony and suggesting that it may be influenced by external entities seeking to exacerbate divisions.