THE EFFECT OF ISLAM IN THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

Abstract

This paper deals with the influence of Islam on political events and the situation in the Republic of Macedonia. Since Islam is distinctly present in the social and political life of Macedonia, it is crucial to analyze how the influence of the same is reflected in this Orthodox state. Namely, the Muslims of Albania make up more than thirty percent of the population of Macedonia and thus represent an important factor in her life, especially in the territory of Western Macedonia, which during the Second World War belonged to the socalled " Great Albania. Some of the relevant facts for this paper are two important documents - the Ohrid Agreement of 2001, and the Tirana Platform - a document adopted in 2017. These two documents aim to increase Albanian, and therefore, Muslim interests in the territory of Macedonia. Enlarging the rights of national minorities is not a problem unless it puts into question the existence of the sovereignty of a nation state, but as the paper describes the aspirations of Albanians, who are mostly Muslims, we must draw attention to the danger of spreading, and afterwards, the re-taking of this territory under the Ottoman the empire.