UPI hears ...
From the International Desk
Published 1/1/2003 11:35 AM
Insider notes from United Press International for Jan. 1 …
Alarm is mounting among U.N. and EU staff in Kosovo at the creeping influence of the puritanical sect of Wahabi Islam, spread across Kosovo's predominantly Muslim population of 2.7 million with large helpings of financial aid from Saudi Arabia. They count 98 primary and secondary schools now built, funded and staffed by the Islamic proselytizers, mostly in rural areas where there are few other schools available, along with 24 mosques and 14 orphanages. Ironically, it was the Albanian-born Muhammad Ali who in the early 19th century as ruler of Egypt stopped the spread of Wahabism. Now the Wahabis are back and expanding fast in his homeland -- much to the outrage of Rexhep Boja, mufti of Kosovo, who argues "Albanians have been Muslims for more than 500 years and don't need outsiders to tell them the prosper way to practice Islam."
Thanks for being so informative on this thread.