Tirana: Turkey is actively seeking to expand its geopolitical influence in the Western Balkans by investing heavily in infrastructure projects and religious landmark buildings, such as mosques. This strategy is part of Ankara’s broader geopolitical agenda, as observed by experts in the field.

According to Deutsche Welle, one of the most significant examples of Turkey’s influence is the Namazgah mosque in Tirana, Albania’s capital. With a towering height of 50 meters and a capacity to accommodate around 8,000 worshippers, the mosque stands as one of the most impressive Islamic places of worship in the region. The Turkish religious authority, Diyanet, partially funded the mosque, contributing approximately £30 million ($34 million). The architectural design is inspired by Istanbul’s iconic Blue Mosque.

In recent years, Turkey has emerged as the leading nation in funding new mosques across the Western Balkans, a position previously held by Saudi Arabia following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. In 1995, Saudi Arabia was the primary sponsor for the reconstruction of mosques in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which were destroyed during the war. However, since the rise of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to power in the early 2000s, Turkey has increasingly taken the lead in this area.

Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has shifted its focus away from funding mosques in the Balkans, instead prioritizing the restoration of historic mosques within its own borders as part of Vision 2030. This set of reforms aims to prioritize economic and social changes in Saudi Arabia.

Turkey’s ambitions extend beyond religious influence, as highlighted by Rebecca Byrant, a cultural anthropology expert at Utrecht University. According to Byrant, Turkey sees itself as the successor of the Ottoman Empire and underscores its claim to regional power through infrastructure investments. These investments are not limited to the Western Balkans but also extend to the Caucasus, Central Asia, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa.

Turkish investors are actively involved in various mega-projects, ranging from railroad lines and ports to hotels and shopping districts, in cities like Sarajevo, Batumi, Astana, and northern Cyprus. Byrant describes this form of political influence as “infrastructure imperialism,” with many projects undertaken by construction companies closely tied to Erdogan. A notable example is the complex in Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus, inaugurated by Erdogan in May 2024, which includes a presidential palace, parliament building, large hotels, and a mosque.

Byrant argues that Erdogan leverages ethnic, religious, and historical similarities to foster a sense of common destiny between Turkey and these regions. The projects are designed to project an image of modernity and progress, positioning Turkey as a forward-looking nation compared to the West.