The birthplace of Mother Theresa

[Djamila]

Mother Theresa was an Albanian born into a mixed Roman Catholic-Muslim family in the Albanian quarter of Skopje, Macedonia (Yugoslavia).

The city was completely destroyed in a devastating earthquake in the 1960s - only the Albanian quarter of the city survived (constructed with more durable Ottoman methods, as opposed to the fragile European districts of the city).

Thus, you can still enjoy a little peek at some of the same streets Mother Theresa walked.

The old Ottoman Carsija of Skopje, second in size and quality only to Sarajevo's Bascarsija:


The oldest Mosque in Skopje (no Roman Catholic church from Mother Theresa's time survives):


The new, modern area of Skopje built following the earthquake:


The plaque to "Our Mama Tereza":

 

[Djamila]

I want to point out that Albania, and Albanians, constitute the most honest and praise-worthy example of religious tolerance in my opinion.

In small villages in Albania, people of different faiths often share a single place of worship and a single cemetery. They are united as Albanians regardless of their faith and its generally a very tolerant society, where - at the very least Albanians of every religious background - are accepted.

 

[Djamila]

The iconic image of the Skopje earthquake. Survivors of the intial earthquake flee during the afterschocks that caused most of the damage.

The Skopje Train Station before the earthquake:

The Skopje Train Station (now the Earthquake Memorial Museum) after the earthquake:

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