Prishtina, 20 November 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the inauguration of the Central Headquarters of the Humanitarian Charity Association “Bereqeti”.
Addressing the large gathering, Prime Minister Kurti remarked that in the pluralistic world we live in, the role of religion has not diminished. Contrary to earlier sociological predictions about the fading of religion, it continues to exist today as one of the many powerful dimensions of social diversity, specifically the moral pluralism of society.
“Every religion encompasses a body of knowledge, which, however codified it may be, can be interpreted within new social circumstances in order to reinforce the values of freedom, justice, equality, and human dignity, which today we consider universal values, inseparably linked to humanism,” stated Prime Minister Kurti.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Kurti highlighted the government’s support for the “Bereqeti” Association, emphasizing that it has received €395,000 for the distribution of food packages to families in need; additionally, within the framework of supporting community kitchens, the “Bereqeti” branch in Peja has been supported with €70,000, and the branch in Mitrovica with €74,000, which in total, out of the Economic Recovery Package, the Charitable Association “Bereqeti” has been provided with over half a million euros, or precisely €539,000.
“The association ‘Bereqeti’ is a charitable organization, trustworthy for the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and highly beneficial for the citizens of our independent and democratic state,” said Prime Minister Kurti.
Referring to some of the government’s concrete achievements, Prime Minister Kurti added that the commitment remains to strengthen the values of equality and justice, freedom, and human dignity, while further building bridges of cooperation and progress that leave no one behind.
The Mufti of the Islamic Community of Kosovo, Naim Efendi Tërnava, stated that in Islam, caring for the poor is both a moral and religious duty, and expressed gratitude to the State of Qatar and national institutions for their help and support.
At this event, Prime Minister Kurti was accompanied by a member of the Assembly of Kosovo, Gramos Agusholli.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Mufti of the Islamic Community of Kosovo, Naim Efendi Ternava,
Honorable Mr. Muhamed al Menai, representative from Qatar, Director for Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs,
Honorable Mr. Behxhet Ajvazi, Director of the “Bereqeti” Association,
Honorable Member of Parliament, Gramoz Agusholli, from the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo,
Distinguished attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
Sisters and brothers,
In the pluralistic world we live in, the role of religion has not diminished. Contrary to earlier sociological predictions about the fading of religion, it continues to exist today as one of the many powerful dimensions of social diversity, specifically the moral pluralism of society.
Therefore, globally renowned scholars such as Habermas, Taylor, and others continue to provide theoretical contributions to defining the space that religion occupies in contemporary societies, while simultaneously exploring the role it can play in the peaceful coexistence of worldview diversity and the emancipation of society as a whole.
Every religion encompasses a body of knowledge, which, however codified it may be, can be interpreted within new social circumstances in order to reinforce the values of freedom, justice, equality, and human dignity, which today we consider universal values, inseparably linked to humanism.
And Islam is a religion that inherently embodies these values, whether lived in embryonic form through early prophetic experiences or as a discursive potential that must be refined into doctrinal forms compatible with the context and needs of our time.
The humanistic potential of Islam takes shape only within a threefold paradigm: theocentric, centered on God; anthropocentric, centered on humanity; and biocentric, centered on life itself. This triadic synthesis makes Islam unique in its humanism. As God’s vicegerent on Earth, humanity holds a central role in the cosmic order, but this status, more than a privilege, is a responsibility vested by God, as humanity has been entrusted with the care of life itself—not just their own. Therefore, Islamic humanism is as much anthropocentric as it is biocentric.
Distinguished attendees, the new challenges facing the world today have not rendered traditional wisdom obsolete. For instance, we now face a new danger in public life, such as the proliferation of fake news. On this topic, religious leaders can play their role in educating the Islamic community and the broader public by drawing on the Qur’anic call for caution in accepting information, emphasizing that people must verify information before deeming it credible.
In cultivating the values of social equality, Islam can provide a valuable contribution through what the renowned Czech-British anthropologist and philosopher Ernest Gellner referred to as “rigorous monotheism,” wherein all individuals are completely equal before God, and this dimension has withstood cultural compromises throughout history, regardless of the various doctrinal forms that Islam has adopted. When secularized as language, equality before God translates into equality before the law. Furthermore, regarding the Qur’anic discourse on justice, it states: “Be just even if it is against yourselves” (end of quote), Islam educates believers on the necessity of unwavering commitment to justice as the central value in society and democracy.
Kosovo will continue to be governed precisely on these values: justice, freedom, equality, and human dignity. It is on these very values that we must build our social alliances. These values are the starting point and foundation of our governance, from which, as a result, we have formulated the largest support package for citizens in the Balkans to address inflation and the energy crisis, amounting to 4.3% of the Gross Domestic Product, according to the World Bank Report.
We have allocated one-time supplements for pensioners, students, and public sector workers, while also subsidizing wage increases for workers in the private sector. We have supported families through benefits for over 62,000 maternity mothers, over 400,000 children, and the employment of more than 4,000 individuals. Pensions were increased twice in succession for over 304,000 pensioners, in addition to four rounds of one-time payments of €100.
Additionally, we are committed to these values I mentioned, to double social assistance for families with the most need during the months of November and December 2021, and April and September 2022, and we have supported them through the subsidization of fuel purchases for heating for the month of December of last year, at which point the new social assistance from the calls of many citizens, we have removed the discriminatory criteria by encouraging activation in the labor market, so as to prevent dependence on state-funded social schemes and to ensure no one is left without assistance if unfortunately they have become unemployed.
In the continuous effort to strengthen the values of justice and equality, in particular, we have offered on-the-job training and employment support for 239 persons with disabilities, including 120 women and girls, and what is very important is that we invite citizens to engage and participate as much as possible, is the registration of Social Organisations. Thus, not only private enterprises and public enterprises, but also social enterprises, which employ individuals from vulnerable groups of society.
Within the framework of the Economic Recovery Package, “Bereqeti” has been supported with €395,000 for the distribution of food packages to families in need; additionally, within the framework of supporting community kitchens, the “Bereqeti” branch in Peja has been supported with €70,000, and the branch in Mitrovica with €74,000, which in total, out of the Economic Recovery Package, the Charitable Association “Bereqeti” has been provided with over half a million euros, or precisely €539,000. This reflects the trust we place in the Association “Bereqeti”. The association ‘Bereqeti’ is a charitable organization, trustworthy for the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and highly beneficial for the citizens of our independent and democratic state.
Distinguished attendees,
Even in developed countries and in our own, one of the growing challenges is affordable housing, and as a social-democratic government, in our program we have also envisioned affordable social housing, for which we have completed the feasibility study, drafted the law, selected locations in 13 municipalities, and are currently in the design phase; 5 agreements have been signed with Gjilan, Peja, Podujeva, Istog, and Kamenica, and we are very close to agreements with Obiliq and Shtime.
Meanwhile, for social housing, after completing the feasibility study and drafting the law, we have signed a loan agreement worth €25 million. These are some concrete achievements, the starting point and foundation of which are the values I mentioned at the beginning, values we share together.
But, of course, we must not stop here. We must remain committed to strengthening these values of equality and justice, of freedom and human dignity, and further building bridges of cooperation and progress that leave no one behind.
Society is not measured by the wealth it accumulates, but by how it cares for its weakest members. Charity is not merely an act of giving; it is the force that binds hearts together, protecting the dignity of each individual without distinction.
The Prophet Muhammad said, and I quote: “Whoever eases someone’s difficulty, God will ease a greater difficulty for them,” end of quote. This reminds us that every good deed is an investment in our shared future.
The Noble Qur’an describes charity as a seed that multiplies goodness.
In Al-Baqarah, Surah 2, Ayah 261: “Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah are like a seed that grows seven ears; in every ear is a hundred grains,” end of quote. However, dear attendees, charity is not only about wealth. A smile is charity, a kind word is charity, a step toward someone in need is charity. In these small gestures lies the power to change the life of an individual and perhaps even an entire society.
Charity does not diminish; it multiplies. It does not weaken; it strengthens, and above all, charity is not just for those who receive but also for those who give. Ultimately, what we give is what remains, a legacy that is never erased. Deep gratitude to the State of Qatar, the Islamic Community of Kosovo, and to everyone—each and every one of you, may prosperity be laid upon us.
Thank you!
Last modified: November 21, 2024