The Three Symbols of Albania: Hacı Ethem Bey Mosque, Clock Tower and Skenderbeg Statue

You will see three historical monument together wherever you look from the centre square of the capital city, Tirana, Albania. These three historical monuments which became the symbol of Albania are Ethem Beg Mosque, Clock Tower and Skenderbeg Statue. Inherited from the Ottoman State, Ethem Beg Mosque and Clock Tower were agreed to be the symbol of Islam and Turk wherease Skenderbeg Statue, made in the period of Enver Hoxha(1968) was usually accepted to be the symbol of Chiristianity. On one hand the unity of socalled historical monument may be interpreted as figural image of Islam and Christianity conflict, on the other hand the three symbol historical monuments, all together in the same square may show a meaningful indicator among the two religions for the sake of peace and tolerence. It was Turks who always have behaved in tolerence to the nations of which she lived together throughout history. In recent days, all efforts concering the city cross-stitching religious missionary activities and making intensive effort in order to increase the rate of Christianity in Albania of which %70 percent are still Muslim provide a foundation for a sphere of conflict. Nobody gives full guarantee on this case . For that reason the most direct rod map on preventing conflict is tolerence. Tolerence makes people closer to eachother in all conditions.That people love eachother and protect common values of humanity is only possible to have a great tolerence among themselves. After September 11 Events in America, all people in the world understood how much religious tolerence they need. In this concern, these three symbols must be accepted in all activities such as conference and meeting and supported continuously.

Keywords

Ethem Beg Mosque, Clock Tower, Skenderbeg Statue, symbol,tolerance