Islamic Council in Vushtrri opposes Catholic church near ancient site

The Islamic Community Council (Këshilli i Bashkësisë Islame) in Vushtrri, Kosovo, publicly responded to a proposal to construct a Catholic church in the Zogaj area, a locality where no Catholic faithful are reported to reside.

The council labeled the project provocative, questioning whether it meets genuine religious needs or serves political motives, and warned that building near the foundations of a 5th‑century paleo‑Christian church could damage historic heritage. It called for full transparency about the initiative’s purpose, urged authorities to base decisions on real community needs, and stressed the importance of preserving inter‑faith harmony and tolerance in Vushtrri.