Groups, and the change in the condition of a people

In the opening lecture of the cycle “Towards a sociology of prophecy”, Rudian Zekthi lays the conceptual foundations the six other sessions will build on. He sets out two chief aims for Albanian Muslims — securing a place for the word of God in the public space, and securing that the children of Muslims are first-class citizens in their own society.

Zekthi develops the thesis that the success of dawah depends on knowing two discourses side by side, the word of God and the word of those who oppose it, and that nobility of manner is a condition no Muslim discourse can waive. He ties both to the prophetic method of Muhammad and to the polemical structure of the Qur'an.

In the second half, the presentation moves to the central thesis that gives the cycle its title: society is a heterogeneous “empty vessel”, made up of groups competing to impose meaning on it. Reading verse 13 of surah al-Hujurat, Zekthi argues that nationalism and liberalism are the doctrines imposing meaning on Albanian societies today, and that Muslims have to become “the first group” if that reality is to change.

Some of the points covered: 📌 The two non-negotiable aims for Albanian Muslims 📌 Knowing the Qur'an and the discourse of the other, side by side 📌 Nobility of manner as a condition Muslim discourse cannot waive 📌 The prophetic method, and the polemical structure of the Qur'an 📌 Society as an “empty vessel”, and the groups that give it meaning 📌 Verse 13 of surah al-Hujurat, and a sociological reading of it 📌 Nationalism and liberalism as the prevailing doctrines today

📍 Prishtina Talks