Imam Bekir Halimi Speaks to TCH After Being Declared “Non Grata” by Albanian Authorities

Two more citizens of North Macedonia, Valon Belja and Bekir Halimi, have been declared “non grata” by the Interior Ministry over suspicious activities against the Albanian state.

Contacted by Top Channel journalist Anila Hoxha, Bekir Halimi said he had not yet received official confirmation of the information. He said he would seek verification through the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia in Tirana.

Halimi also said that he is awaiting Albanian citizenship. According to him, until that process is completed, he remains subject only to the laws of his own country.

Hoxha approached Halimi, introducing herself as Anila Hoxha, a Top Channel journalist in Albania, and asked him to respond to his designation as “non grata.” She asked whether he had been informed of the reasons for the decision and whether he intended to challenge it.

In his response, Halimi initially stressed that he had not yet verified the news through official channels and that he would confirm it through the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia in Tirana.

He said his most recent involvement in Albania had been a collaboration with Shkodra County, under the current government, to organize an event aimed at promoting Albania internationally. Halimi said that, thanks to their contribution, merits and influence in this project, they expect to be granted Albanian citizenship soon.

Until then, according to him, he is subject only to the laws of his own country. For this reason, Halimi explained, he is first looking into the matter by communicating with his country’s embassy in Tirana.

Hoxha stated that throughout his life and career, he has never been and is not affiliated with any organization or organized group, either inside or outside the country. He described this as a conscious decision, as he wanted his only involvement to remain his participation in the two liberation wars of the KLA, in Kosovo and Macedonia, during the period 1998–2001.

Halimi added that he has always been part of the Islamic Religious Community of North Macedonia, which he considers the only institution that represents him. Within it, he said, he has fulfilled and continues to fulfill all his duties and responsibilities, both as a believer and as an imam.

Halimi went on to say that he would continue his mission as an imam, following the approach of all the prophets, by calling people to tawhid, or monotheism, and opposing every negative phenomenon that causes serious consequences for individuals and society.

He said that, guided by love and care for their people, they would continue to speak out on these issues, as they view this as a religious, moral and social obligation.