Tirana: Turkey is actively working to expand its influence in the Western Balkans by investing in infrastructure projects and religious landmark buildings. This move is seen as part of Ankara’s broader geopolitical agenda, which includes the construction of mosques as a key element.
According to Deutsche Welle, one of the most notable projects is the Namazgah mosque in Tirana, Albania. This mosque, which stands at 50 meters tall and can accommodate around 8,000 worshippers, is considered one of the most impressive Islamic places of worship in the region. The Turkish religious authority Diyanet partially funded its construction with approximately £30 million ($34 million). The mosque’s design draws inspiration from the iconic Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
In recent years, Turkey has surpassed Saudi Arabia as the leading nation in funding new mosques in the Western Balkans. This shift began after the rise to power of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the early 2000s. Previously, Saudi Arabia was the main sponsor of mosque reconstruction in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the war. However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has shifted Saudi Arabia’s focus towards restoring historic mosques within the country as part of Vision 2030.
Turkey’s influence extends beyond religious buildings. Rebecca Byrant, a cultural anthropology expert at Utrecht University, explains that Turkey’s investment in mosque construction is part of a larger infrastructure strategy. This strategy includes various projects across the Caucasus, Central Asia, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting Turkey’s claim to regional power.
Turkish investors are heavily involved in projects ranging from railroads and ports to hotels and shopping districts, from Sarajevo to Batumi, Astana to northern Cyprus, and Senegal. Bryant notes that many of these projects are led by construction companies with ties to Erdogan, a phenomenon she describes as “infrastructure imperialism.”
One of the notable projects in Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus includes a complex with a presidential palace, parliament building, large hotels, and a mosque, although the mosque was incomplete at the time of its inauguration in May 2024. Bryant views these mega-projects as Turkey’s expression of its vision for the future, emphasizing ethnic, religious, or historical connections with the countries involved.