TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The U.N. expert on religious freedom has praised Albania's interfaith tolerance, considering it to be an example for other countries.
Ahmed Shaheed says that Albania is a model for interfaith harmony, with a Muslim majority, and Orthodox and Catholic communities among its 3 million people.
Shaheed ended an eight-day trip to Albania on Wednesday to prepare a report on its policies and practices on religion, including unresolved issues or new challenges.
Shaheed said in his preliminary finding that such a "unique co-existence and mutual respect between and among various religious groups should not be taken for granted ... (as) the situation could change more quickly and unexpectedly than many think."