Introduction / History

Albanians are probably descendants of the Illyrians, who were the original inhabitants of the western Balkan Peninsula. In the sixth century, migrating Slavs began to settle on Illyrian territory and pushed the Illyrians into what is present-day Albania. For nearly five centuries the territory we now know as Albania was part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. In 1912 Albania became an independent country.

There were very few Albanians in the United States at that time, and they usually could not read. They produced literature in their language, which increased their literacy level. The few who arrived as political refugees during WWI returned to Albania in the 1920s. Others came to the U.S. in 1944-45 when Albania became a communist state. More arrived in the 1990s when communism fell in their country. They tended to settle in Massachusetts, though this is not necessarily the case today.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Albanian food is heavily influenced by the cuisine of Turkey, Iran and Greece.

After getting assimilated and learning English, Albanians in the U.S. have entered all kinds of professions, even ones that carry prestige. There are many businessmen, elected officials, people in sports and the entertainment industry from an Albanian background. It’s common for Albanian women to be highly paid models or beauty contestants. Some are academics or scientists. For the most part, the Albanians are integrated into American society.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Centuries ago, many Albanians were converted to Islam by the Ottoman Turks. However, they practiced a type of "folk Islam," which embraced occult practices such as praying to the dead, seeking cures for sickness, and praying for protection from spirits and curses. Because of the hostility towards religion they experienced between 1946 and 1991, some Albanians remain atheistic. Many are Orthodox, Catholic or Evangelical.

What Are Their Needs?

Albanians in the United States need the spiritual hunger it takes to make Christ lord of their lives.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to birth a cascading discipleship movement among the Albanians in the U.S.
Pray that Bibles will be effectively distributed to Albanians in the United States and have a strong spiritual impact.
Ask God to use the small number of Gheg believers to share Christ's love with their people. Pray that these believers will walk in a way worthy of the Lord, so they can draw others to him.
Pray for a movement to Christ among Albanians to spread far and wide.

Scripture Prayers for the Albanian in United States.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_diaspora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Albania
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_Americans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Albanian_Americans
https://web.archive.org/web/20060530064509/http://www.naac.org/index.php
https://www.everyculture.com/multi/A-Br/Albanian-Americans.html
https://growthlab.hks.harvard.edu/publications/albanian-community-united-states-statistical-profiling-albanian-americans