Albania and religion – a globally unique case

Albania is the only country in the world where religion has ever been banned by law. For nearly a quarter of a century, the communist dictator Enver Hoxha waged a war against religion. From 1967 until 1990, religious institutions were closed, the practice of religious rites was banned, and the mere expression of religious beliefs was considered a crime against the state. The latter was specifically included in an article of the penal code, which prescribed a prison sentence of three to ten years.