Ethnic Albanians make up approximately 90 per cent of Kosovo’s population; the vast majority in nearly all municipalities.  Kosovo Albanians speak the Kosovar dialect of the Albanian language, which is mutually intelligible with the Albanian spoken by their kin in neighboring Albania.   Approximately 90 per cent of Kosovo Albanians are Muslim in faith, the remaining of which are Roman Catholic. Relations between Muslim and Catholic Albanians in Kosovo are strong, with the two communities intricately woven in Kosovo’s society. Among the Albanians, regardless of religion, independence is the only alternative for Kosovo.

Ethnic Serbs are the second largest ethnic group in Kosovo at approximately 5 per cent of the population.  The majority of Serbs live in the northern districts of Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Shterpce in the south.  Many also live in Serbian enclaves scattered throughout Kosovo. 

Segregation between Albanian and Serb communities intensified after nearly one million Albanian refugees returned to the province in late 1999.  One northern city considered to be the most volatile place in Kosovo today is Mitrovica, also called “the divided city.”  With Serbs living north of the Ibar River and Albanians to the south, ethnic tension is high.  As we witnessed in March 2004, when nearly 300 citizens were injured in rioting that took place in Mitrovica between Serbs and Albanians. Vowing to end violence in Kosovo, we have learned that in towns such as Mitrovica, international peacekeeping units are vital to stabilitize the region.

While the Albanians and Serbs are the most well-known people in Kosovo, Roma communities have been living and thriving among them for centuries.  Although their exact origins seem to be a mystery, the Romani people have a unique culture very different than their Albanian and Serbian counterparts. For centuries, the Roma have been a nomadic people, traveling great distances before finding a new land to make their home.  Over time, the Roma become influenced by local people, mainly by learning the native tongue and quite often by adopting the people’s religion. In Kosovo, most Romani speak Albanian and are of Muslim in faith. Others speak Serbian and have adopted Orthodox Christianity.  Roma integration into Kosovo’s society had been a slow progression, which came to a virtual halt since the war.  Many Albanians accused the Roma of being allies with the Serbs, deemed an unforgivable act by most Albanians.  Since the war, Kosovo’s Romani feel threatened and ask for protection of their rights.

Regardless of the differences in our language, religion, or ethnic identity, we are determined to cooperate with the international community to become a model of tolerance and multiculturalism.  Each group has an important role in promoting a new and prosperous Kosovo.  Albanians must prove themselves capable of protecting all minorities in Kosovo, Serbs must acknowledge the present demographics and find unity with the Albanians, and the Romani must integrate themselves into Kosovo society.  After all, we are Kosovo.

Comments (7)

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Robin Owens said:

	... What about an independent Vojvodina?
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February 27, 2008
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Budgie said:

... When discussing Kosovo, it's ineresting how most writers here are writing about the present day region. You can not discuss this event without discussing the past , what led up to it. None of you have done that. This event is so complicated and I wish those that don't understand the history of this conflict would refrain from commenting. If you know anything about what this is really about please enlighten us. So according to some of you, if a region is mostly one thing or another ethnically, then they have the right to secede? That's what happened here. If this is true then most countries in the world will be open to the same type of an event.Pandora's box!

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February 24, 2008
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Diana A. said:

... What always amazes me, is the fact that in serbian eyes, albanian people are always "playing the victim", rather than actually being recognized as victims. I understand that serbs have been brainwashed by officials in believing this non-sense, but clear-cut facts (i.e massacred parts of civilians strewn around kosova's land, i.e. the inability to have jobs, schools or doctors, while under serbian rule) just bypass them completely. It is also so funny that when serbs present the argument that Kosova is theirs, they always manage to leave out that interesting little fact, that they massacred innocent people. In order to have a united Kosova, the serbian population must let go of their false ideologies that they pass as historical facts and see that the future is about Kosova being a multiethnic nation. And to turn my attention to Mr. Alfabeta, watching the celebrations go on in a peaceful way is further proof that Albanians are civil, and excuse them for finally having the ability to celebrate what they fought hard for and deserved. Furthermore, Mr. Alfabeta, those 200,000 non-albanians that you speak of is the 5% of people of the Kosova region who have blatantly decided against recognizing its country Kosova as its own state rather than still being a part of Serbia proper. I salute Mr. Zenelaj for his views, as he is another example of how Albanian people are looking forward to a free Kosova that are accepting of other peoples nationalities. Why would Albanians want to do the exact same thing that was done to them? You underestimate the character of the Albanian people, probably because you are surely unfamiliar with the word, as the actions provided by Serbia show that they have none. Kicking and screaming like babies about something that was inevitable is not the way to go. Kosova will never be Serbia's and now others are starting to see that as well. Congratulations Kosova!

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February 21, 2008
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Bosnia said:

	... Good luck KOSOVARI. I am very happy for you.
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February 21, 2008
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Mr. Alfabeta said:

I am Kosovo While I was watching celebrations yesterday I was amazed by the fact that people of this new "state" were waving a flag of another state...what a nightmare. While Mr. Thaci was declaring that Kosovo (or Kosova) will be a place for everybody to live in the horde of people were excited about the fact that uncle Sam and his wife Rosemary (the EU) gave birth to another Rosemary Baby. There was a banner yesterday on the streets of prishtina which in Albanian said "Without Kosovo and Chemeria (which is a self-proclaimed territory in Greece) there is no Albania...another nightmare. This should make people convinced that the trigger-happy Albanians will become peace loving people instantly and will start treating other people in Kosovo as equal...hahahahaha. I wonder why Mr. Zedaj did not mention the 200,000 non-Albanian people that have to return to Kosovo. But, anyway one has to admire Kosovo Albanians for convincing the world that they are the "victims'. It was a Shakespearian move. It will pass some time when Albanians (everywhere in the world) understand that they have been ridden for fools.

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February 18, 2008
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Piasoft said:

... Well, Mr. John, thank you very much for your concern on the fact if there will be jobs in Kosova or foreign investments also. I tell you, yes there will be. The more time will go on, the better the future of Kosovo will be. It was this the reason why Kosovo proclaimed it's independence from Serbia. (The last pice of ex-Yugoslavia, time told about it). Now the people of Kosovo can really think of the future in piece, and making their lives happier and better, making more jobs and attracting foreign investments (was this your concern Mr. John?!). Now, you would like them to be a colony of Serbia!!!... But that’s a right that only they can use to make a decision, not you, not me, not Serbia. I tell you, there is a big chance for Kosovo to be a 'Province' of EU. That’s what all countries in the south-east Europe aspire to be. And about UN seat... that’s a thing for the future... Until then Kosovo people will live happy and in piece.

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February 18, 2008
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john said:

Are you Kosovo or Kosova? It is curious to me why the writer Kujtim Zenelaj ended his article with: After all, we are Kosovo. This article did appear in The New Kosova Report. The writer's idealism is noteworthy. But I see no way Kosovo thrives as an independent state. After the euphoria of independence wears off, then what? Will there be jobs. Investment by foreigners? Will there be a seat at the UN? Or will Kosovo be a colony of the U.S. and E.U. Time will tell.

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February 18, 2008
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