A decision that will shake the balance in Europe! A Bektashi State is being established in Albania.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced at the United Nations Future Summit dialogue meeting that they plan to establish a sovereign and independent Bektashi state in the capital, Tirana.

ALBANIA HAS ALLOWED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BEKTASHI STATE

Interesting statements came from Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at the UN Future Summit dialogue meeting held before the high-level meetings of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. Rama stated that they plan to establish a sovereign and independent Bektashi state in the capital Tirana, expressing that the sovereign Bektashi state they wish to create will promote moderation, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

Rama noted that Albania, a small country in the Balkans, protected Jews from the Nazis during World War II and provided asylum to Afghans after the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan three years ago. "Albanians take pride in having presented to the world Mother Teresa, who embodies love for humanity. She taught us that even if we cannot achieve great things, we can accomplish small things with great love. This is what inspires our plan to transform the Bektashi order into a sovereign state that will be a new center of moderation, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence in our capital, Tirana," he said.

IT WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE STRUCTURE IN THE VATICAN

In a statement published by the World Bektashi Center in Albania regarding the matter, it was expressed that the newly established Bektashi state would have a sovereignty similar to that of the Vatican and would conduct religious and administrative matters independently from Albania. The statement emphasized that the decision to recognize an independent and sovereign Bektashi state would be a historic step, stating, "Citizenship will only be granted to high-ranking clergy and individuals governing the state, and leadership will be carried out by Bektashi leader Baba Mondi and a council that will oversee religious and administrative activities. The new state will have no purpose beyond religious leadership."

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WILL BE ALLOWED, WOMEN WILL DRESS AS THEY WISH

Bektashi leader Edmond Brahimaj, known as "Baba Mondi" in Albania, and Prime Minister Edi Rama previously stated in an interview with the New York Times that the name of the state would be "Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order," that it would be one-fourth the size of the Vatican, and that it would not have institutions such as an army, border security, or courts. Albanian leader Rama pointed out that implementing the plan for the establishment of the new state would take time. Bektashi leader Edmond Brahimaj stated that there would be no restrictions in the new state, where alcohol consumption would be allowed and women would be able to dress as they wish. Baba Mondi stated that the state would have its own administration, passport, and borders, and that "All decisions will be made with love and kindness."

BEKTASHIS CONSTITUTE 10% OF THE MUSLIM POPULATION IN ALBANIA

The roots of the Bektashi order in Albania date back to the Ottoman period in the 13th century. In Albania, which has a population of 2.4 million, Muslims constitute approximately 50% of the population according to the latest census data. According to 2023 data, Bektashis make up about 10% of the Muslim population.