The post by the Albanian Orthodox priest, Father Nikolla Xhufka, with photographs in an Orthodox church in the municipality of Podujevo, has been interpreted with an unfounded claim by the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia and the Diocese of Raska-Prizren as an action coordinated with "Official Pristina" and also alludes to the involvement of municipal structures.
Father Nikolla Xhufka, known as the head of the "Saint Cosmas" Catacomb Church in Elbasan, through a post made on his Facebook profile on November 28, and through photographs, presented a mass in an Orthodox church in the municipality of Podujeva in Kosovo.
In the description of this post, priest Father Nikolla wrote: "for the first time in the history of Kosovo (Dardania), the First Orthodox Mass was held in Albanian in the Municipality of Podujeva, the village of Rakinicë, and precisely in the Church of Saint Michael!"
In this post (at 18:01), he emphasizes the fact that "present at this historic event were representatives of the Municipality, representatives of the Conservative Party, representatives of various religious beliefs and others". While, dozens of minutes later, his post was edited by removing from the text the part where representatives of the Municipality are mentioned.
The Diocese of Raska-Prizren of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia, have reacted to this event.
Referring to the news published on an Albanian-language information portal regarding the event, the Diocese states that representatives of the municipality of Podujeva were also involved in this event.
While the Office links the event to official Pristina without facts.
Links to publications made by the Father, the Office and the Diocese:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=364222026059120&id=100074139765485&ref=embed_post
https://kim.gov.rs/lat/v5398.php
"Today, November 28, 2023, for the first time in the history of Kosovo (Dardania), the First Orthodox Mass in Albanian was held in the Municipality of Podujeva, the village of Rakinicë, and precisely in the Church of Saint Michael! Present at this historic event were representatives of the Municipality, representatives of the Conservative Party, representatives of various religious faiths, etc.," Xhufka wrote on Facebook.
The Diocese of Raska-Prizren, in a response on their official website, called Xhufka a false priest who they say forcibly entered the Church of the Archangel Michael, adding that among the participants were also representatives of the Municipality of Podujeva. (here)
The Municipality of Podujeva has issued a statement regarding the Diocese's reaction to the involvement of municipal officials in this event, stating that no representative of theirs participated in an official capacity in an organized mass. According to the Municipality's response, the participant participated only as an individual representing himself, and denied that he represented the Municipality. (here)
On the other hand, the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government unfoundedly links the event to official Pristina. Such an act, which they call "violent and planned", according to them, could not have been carried out without the knowledge and support of the institutions in Pristina, led by Albin Kurti. (here)
But the Office does not provide any facts or sources to substantiate the connection it made with official Pristina and Prime Minister Kurti.
Analyze:
Father Nikolla Xhufka organized an Orthodox mass in Albanian in the Municipality of Podujevo, the village of Rakinica, and precisely in the Church of Saint Michael, an event over which claims were raised by the Diocese of Raska-Prizren of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia.
The Diocese claimed that the Municipality of Podujeva was also involved due to the participation of its officials, which was denied by the Municipality itself, stating that no official from the Municipality participated in an official capacity.
On the other hand, the Office claims without evidence that this event was organized with the knowledge and support of Pristina institutions, led by Albin Kurti.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info assesses these claims as "unverified content" and "misinformation".
Rating:
A “Disinformation” rating is given to media reporting that contains a “mix” of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful content. This rating will also address reports that have incorrect attributions or headlines that do not reflect the text in terms of information accuracy.