dw.com
Turkey's Namazgah Mosque: Symbol of Expanding Influence in Albania
Turkey's substantial funding enabled the construction of the Namazgah Mosque, Albania's largest, opened in October 2024 by President Erdoğan, symbolizing Turkey's growing influence in the Balkans amid broader infrastructure projects and political pressures.
- How does the Namazgah Mosque's construction reflect Turkey's broader geopolitical strategy in the Western Balkans and beyond?
- The mosque's construction, spanning a decade, symbolizes Turkey's expanding influence in the Western Balkans, using soft power strategies like mosque construction intertwined with economic, political, and military interests. This influence is evident in Turkey's pressure on Albania to extradite Gülen movement members, halting construction for two years until compliance.
- What is the significance of the Namazgah Mosque's construction, considering its size, funding, and the timing of its opening?
- The Namazgah Mosque in Tirana, Albania, financed largely by Turkey, is the largest mosque in the Balkans, featuring an 8,000-person capacity and a 50-meter minaret. Its October 2024 opening, presided over by Turkish President Erdoğan, coincided with agricultural and educational cooperation agreements between Turkey and Albania, along with a gift of Turkish-made drones.
- What are the potential long-term implications of Turkey's infrastructure projects, including mosque construction, for regional power dynamics and international relations?
- Turkey's mosque building extends beyond Albania, forming part of a broader infrastructure strategy across diverse regions, from the Caucasus to Sub-Saharan Africa. This "infrastructure imperialism," often awarding contracts to firms close to Erdoğan, builds political leverage and projects Turkey's vision of a modern, alternative model to the West, using rhetoric of brotherhood and shared destiny.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative strongly emphasizes the Turkish perspective, highlighting Turkey's financial contribution, political influence, and President Erdoğan's role in the mosque's opening. The headline (if one existed) would likely reinforce this focus. The introductory paragraphs likely establish Turkey's central role immediately, shaping the reader's initial interpretation of the mosque's significance.
Language Bias
The article uses relatively neutral language but contains some potentially loaded terms. Phrases like "altyapı emperyalizmi" (infrastructure imperialism) and descriptions of Turkey's actions as attempts to increase "nüfuz" (influence) or exert "baskı" (pressure) imply a negative connotation without explicitly stating it. More neutral language such as 'expanding its infrastructure' or 'applying diplomatic pressure' could mitigate this.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the Turkish perspective and the role of Turkey in the construction and symbolism of the Namazgah Mosque. Alternative perspectives from Albanian citizens, religious leaders outside of Turkey's influence, or critical analyses of Turkish foreign policy in the Balkans are largely absent. This omission limits the reader's ability to form a complete understanding of the mosque's significance and the broader geopolitical context.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified dichotomy between Turkish influence and previous Saudi Arabian influence in funding mosque construction in the Balkans. The complexities of regional politics, internal Albanian dynamics, and diverse religious viewpoints are underrepresented, potentially leading readers to a binary understanding of the issue.
Sustainable Development Goals
The construction of the Namazgah Mosque involved significant infrastructure development, and Turkey's broader infrastructural investments across the Balkans contribute to economic growth and development in the region. This aligns with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. The mosque itself is a significant structure and the associated construction projects stimulated economic activity.