Introduction / History

During the widespread influx of refugees from the Syria, there was one ethnic group that had more refugee applications in the Netherlands than they Syrians: Albanians. To the Albanians, there is no difference between being a refugee and moving for economic reasons. Few of them were allowed to settle in the Netherlands.

Where Are they Located?

Though there are a small number of Albanians in the Netherlands, there are many more in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and the United States.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Albanians have few job skills that are useful in highly industrialized Holland. The small Albanian community is suffering from violent gangs within their community.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Officially the Albanians are Muslim or Orthodox Christian, but they come from a formerly communist country that was exceptionally hostile to all religions. During the communist era that ended in 1990, Albania was the only officially atheistic country. To this day, Albanians are more secular than Muslims. However, some Albanians are looking to Islam for their identity.

What Are Their Needs?

Albanians need to be trained in job marketable job skills for living in urban Holland.

They can be reached for Christ in this country that allows for religious freedom.

Prayer Points

Pray for Christ's followers to go to the Netherlands and train Albanians in job skills that will make them valuable employees.
Pray for a disciple-making movement among Albanians to spread from the Netherlands back to Albania and beyond.

Scripture Prayers for the Albanian in Netherlands.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_diaspora
http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/03/28/albanians-not-syrians-the-largest-group-seeking-asylum-in-netherlands/
http://streetgangs.com/billboard/viewtopic.php?t=56125