Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced plans to create a Muslim statelet within the country’s capital, Tirana, known as the “Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order”. This microstate, inspired by the practices of the Bektashi Order, a Shiite Sufi order founded in the 13th century in Turkey, will be a quarter of the size of Vatican City, with its own administration, passports, and borders. The state aims to promote a tolerant version of Islam, allowing alcohol, permitting women to wear what they want, and imposing no lifestyle rules.
The Bektashi Order has a long mystic tradition in Albania, dating back to the Ottoman Empire. The Order’s headquarters moved to Tirana nearly a century ago after being banned from Turkey by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Bektashis have faced persecution for centuries, leading them to seek refuge in neighbouring countries such as Kosovo and Macedonia. Devotees of the Sufi faith are not required to observe traditional Islamic practices, and the Order is known for its tolerance and respect for different beliefs and lifestyles.
Dervish Baba Mondi, the spiritual leader of the Bektashi Order, is set to lead the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order. He emphasizes the principles of peace, love, and mutual respect in the Bektashi community, saying that being a Bektashi means being human. A team of experts is currently working on legislation to define the new state’s status within Albania, with the governing Socialist Party needing to endorse it. Baba Mondi hopes that the United States and other Western powers will recognize the state’s sovereignty, emphasizing that the Bektashi Order does not mix Islam with politics and only tells the truth about the religion.
The creation of the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order reflects Prime Minister Edi Rama’s desire to promote a tolerant version of Islam in Albania. Rama believes that Albania’s religious tolerance is a precious treasure that should be protected. This new state aims to showcase the Bektashi Order’s tolerant practices, allowing individuals to live according to their beliefs and values without restrictions. The state would be a beacon of religious freedom and respect for diversity, echoing the principles of peace and love espoused by the Bektashi Order.
The decision to establish the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order has its roots in the long-standing history of the Bektashi Order in Albania and the challenges faced by its followers over the centuries. Despite facing persecution and pressure from various ruling powers, the Bektashi community has remained resilient and sought to uphold their traditions of tolerance and respect. The establishment of this state will provide a safe haven for Bektashis to practice their faith freely and in accordance with their beliefs, without fear of persecution or discrimination.
As the Bektashi Order’s spiritual leader, Baba Mondi is committed to leading the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order with love and kindness, ensuring that decisions are made in a manner that upholds the Order’s principles of peace, love, and mutual respect. With the support of the Bektashi community and the Albanian government, the new state is on track to become a reality, showcasing the values and beliefs of the Bektashi Order to the world. Ultimately, the establishment of this state represents a significant step towards promoting religious tolerance and diversity, not just within Albania but globally.
