Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, on October 25, 2025, participated in the roundtable discussion titled “The State and Religion”, organized by the Organization for the Cultivation of Tradition and Culture (OKKT) “Shqiptaria”.
The event was held in Prishtina and brought together academics, researchers, and representatives of religious and cultural institutions from across the Albanian-speaking territories to discuss the relationship between the state and religion in the context of modern societies.
At this roundtable, the Rector of UT presented a study titled “Religious Freedoms and Religious Communities in the Republic of North Macedonia”, emphasizing the fundamental importance of freedom of conscience and belief as one of the basic human rights, essential for the functioning of a democratic society.
“The right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is an absolute right, which also includes the right to change one’s religion or belief. No one can be forced to follow or believe in a particular religion, and equally important is the freedom to publicly manifest one’s belief freely and without limitations”, – emphasized Rector Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli.
He further emphasized that the state’s obligation to ensure religious pluralism and neutrality towards religious communities is an essential condition for guaranteeing equality and human rights.
In this context, the Rector also addressed the constitutional and legal framework of the Republic of North Macedonia, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees freedom of belief, the separation of the state from religious communities, and their equality before the law.
In conclusion, he highlighted that respecting religious freedom and religious pluralism is a crucial pillar of democracy, calling for public institutions and religious communities to cooperate in the spirit of mutual understanding and respect.
The roundtable “The State and Religion” took place in a collaborative atmosphere, aiming to deepen the debate on the relationship between religion, the state, and society in the Albanian-speaking territories and beyond.
