People Group Profiles

“All nations will come and worship before you."

- Revelations 15:4

Albanian, Gheg of North America


People Group Info

Total Population: 87,154

ROP3 Code: 103338
IMB Affinity Group: European Peoples
Affinity Bloc: Eurasian Peoples
People Cluster: Albanian
Language: Gheg Albanian - (aln)
Religion: Islam - Sunni
Country of Origin: Kosovo

Photo courtesy of Joshua Project.
By Anonymous

Majority Located Where

  New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY - 60,000

  Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX - 6,000

  Toronto (Mississauga, Brampton), ON - 5,934

  Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI - 4,700

  Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA - 2,300

Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.

Learn More

Brief Profile

Gheg people are Gheg-speaking population people from northern Albania, now known as Kosovo. The Gheg language is one of two main dialects, the other being Tosk, spoken in Albania. Although mutually intelligible with one another, social-cultural norms derived from a long history of how the Gheg and Tosk view one another reinforce the Gheg's own distinct social identity.

Gheg are often known to be stern and courageous and the Tosk being more friendly and talkative. At the end of 19th and beginning of 20th century many Albanians migrated to North America.

Most Albanian Ghegs are nominal Muslims, following only Islam because of their past family and ethnic heritage. Many have begun to marry outside their people group.

Prayer Points

  • Pray that the Gheg Albanian will find the Lord Jesus Christ as they make their way in North America.
  • Pray Christians will open their hearts and their doors to these people who have been through so much — but who are so loved by God.
  • Pray for secular Ghegs to come in contact with evangelical Christians who will clearly share their faith in Christ through their lifestyle and a vocal message.


Learning Resources

Learn more about "Any-3"
Any–3 provides biblical principles and practical steps that have equipped hundreds of Christians to witness confidently and effectively. Over the past decade, thousands of Muslims have been engaged with the gospel.

Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.

Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.

Loving Muslims Small Group Study
This Loving Muslims booklet is a two-week group study that takes a deeper look at Christ’s command to "love our neighbor."

World Religions - Beliefs Overview
An overview of major world religions and cults - their beliefs and practices.

Overview of Islam
Overview of Islam and its sub-groupings. Developed by the North American Mission Board, SBC. Includes generalized witnessing tips.


Other Resources

Know God in 98 Languages
A CRU resource with 9 different witnessing models (e.g. 4 Spiritual Laws, etc.) in 98 languages.

Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.

Online Talking Bible - Albanian, Gheg
The purpose of Talking Bibles is to give non-readers and the blind access to the Bible in their native language.

Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.

Displaying 1-12 of 12 results.
Country City Metro Area Name State / Prov. Baseline Population
United StatesWood DaleChicago-Naperville-ElginIL1,300
CanadaTorontoToronto (Mississauga, Brampton)ON5,934
United StatesSterling HeightsDetroit-Warren-DearbornMI4,700
United StatesStaten IslandNew York-Newark-Jersey CityNY20,000
United StatesSouth MilwaukeeMilwaukee-Waukesha-West AllisWI605
United StatesRevereBoston-Cambridge-QuincyMA2,300
United StatesPhiladelphiaPhiladelphia-Camden-WilmingtonPA2,200
United StatesHoustonHouston-The Woodlands-Sugar LandTX800
United StatesDallasDallas-Fort Worth-ArlingtonTX6,000
United StatesCedar ParkAustin-Round RockTX250
United StatesBronxNew York-Newark-Jersey CityNY40,000
United StatesAbileneAbileneTX300