Waqf Property Fraud – How Mirlinda Heidorn (Xhaferri) and Others Helped Usurp a Centuries-Old Muslim Heritage

2025-04-24 11:41:00, Denoncim CNA

Waqf Property Fraud – How Mirlinda Heidorn (Xhaferri) and Others Helped

In the center of Tirana, one of the city's most luxurious towers is being built, "The Eye of Tirana." A tower that is being built by Armand Lilo, much talked about for his connections with socialist Fatmir Xhafaj.

But few know on what land this building is built: on the waqf property of the Albanian Muslim Community, a sacred and inviolable property according to the Constitution, national laws, and the European Convention on Human Rights.

A clear scheme of usurpation – signed by people in power

At the center of this scandal is the name of Mirlinda Xhaferri, who, according to official documents, had a key role in the legalization and subsequent sale of this waqf property.

Waqf Property Fraud – How Mirlinda Heidorn (Xhaferri) and Others Helped

With unidentified collaborators within the institutions , property no. 221, dated 20.03.1919, which belonged to the Karapic Mosque Endowment, was illegally alienated.

Waqf Property Fraud – How Mirlinda Heidorn (Xhaferri) and Others Helped

The law is clear, but the courts don't want to see it

Article 42 of the Constitution of Albania and Protocol No. 1 of the ECHR clearly protect private and religious property from usurpation . But the decision of the Tirana Court of Appeal, contrary to any archival evidence and the 1929 statute of the Muslim Community, granted the right to legalize the alienated property.

Waqf Property Fraud – How Mirlinda Heidorn (Xhaferri) and Others Helped

The court relied on a false interpretation of Article 40 of the Statute of the Muslim Community, completely ignoring the fact that the waqfs of tekkes are not administered by the state, but by the communities themselves.

Waqf Property Fraud – How Mirlinda Heidorn (Xhaferri) and Others Helped

Evidence that cannot be ignored

In a state archive document (AQSh., Fondi 882, Dosja 20), the property in question is never listed as part of the Albanian Muslim Community, but as a waqf cemetery plot since 1919. Furthermore:

In the mortgage register it appears as "Jevgjve Cemetery".

In another registration, it is listed as the endowment of the "Sheh Zeles Mosque".

In another, this property, according to land deed 221, dated 20.3.1919, turns out to be the burial place of Adem Idrizi , later nationalized.

Waqf Property Fraud – How Mirlinda Heidorn (Xhaferri) and Others Helped

All of this evidence was handwritten in official archival documents, but was ignored by the judges and notaries who enabled the legalization and construction.

A collective asset transformed into concrete

What was once a religious and historical site has now been transformed into an asset worth millions, depriving the Muslim community of not only a property, but also a part of its identity and cultural heritage.

This happens while the prosecution and SPAK remain silent.

Call for justice

This is not an ordinary case. It is about an organized robbery, supported by corrupt officials, notaries, and judges. The name of Mirlinda Heirdon (Xhaferri) is just the tip of the iceberg of a network that must be investigated without compromise .